New media technologies, especially social media, continue to challenge previous notions regarding agenda melding activities. Recent observations have been made during chaotic and turbulent conditions, where participants behave contradictory to what is expected by previous agenda setting and melding theories. This study attempts to examine the content shared amongst ordinary users on Twitter directly following a sudden crisis event, specifically the US Capitol riot from January 6th, 2021. This was done through a quantitative content analysis, where the agenda melding activities as well as rhetorical purpose were examined in order to observe ordinary users’ behaviours during the crisis event. Along with an open discussion regarding what this might entail for US democratic functions or relations, and a general invitation for future research regarding similar issues. The results of this study showed further support for contradictory agenda melding activities in relation to a crisis event. Where instead of seeking out safety and agreement in the majority, users engaged in arguments, discussions and challenged each other’s views and opinions publicly online. In examining the content following the Capitol riot, this study hopes to shed light on a subject of study that needs further exploring, as well as arguments for future development of previous theories.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:lnu-103894 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Ring, Isa |
| Publisher | Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för medier och journalistik (MJ) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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