A Mixed-Methods Study of Indonesia’s Digital Sphere: Counterpublic Formations in the YouTube Comment Section
2023 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Introduction This study examines the usefulness of understanding the YouTube comment sections as a counterpublic – that is, a parallel discursive arena where marginalized social groups circulate counter discourses to voice their interests – by analysing a case situated within Indonesia’s digital public sphere.
Method This study employed a mixed-methods approach that iteratively integrated quantitative and qualitative methods into the inductive analysis of the data.
Analysis The data was firstly analysed according to its structural features based on the metadata of the comments and secondly according to the text of the comments.
Results The comment section revealed a dynamic structure that promotes discussion under non-binding circumstances in which users can voice a high degree of scepticism and criticism towards authorities.
Conclusion The comment section was shown to have a high capacity to facilitate the formation of counterpublics. However, it is inseparable from the liminality between the potential for alternative bottom-up public discourse and the risk for distributing oppressing narratives. This uncertainty is constitutive of its potential.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2023. , p. 42
Keywords [en]
public sphere, mixed methods research, digital media, counterpublics, YouTube, comment section, Indonesia
National Category
Media Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-122145OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-122145DiVA, id: diva2:1772844
Subject / course
Library and Information Science
Educational program
Digital humanities, master programme, 60 hp
Supervisors
Examiners
2023-06-262023-06-222023-06-26Bibliographically approved