Fragmenting the Fragmented News Media Landscape: a case study of the use of WhatsApp groups in news dissemination in Lebanon.
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Authors
Arabi, Afif
Issue Date
2024-10-28
Type
Conference Paper
Not peer-reviewed
Not peer-reviewed
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The use of WhatsApp groups for news dissemination in Lebanon started shortly after the commencement of the social resistance to the corrupt Lebanese feudal regime in October 2019 and has become one of the most influential news media in the Lebanese media landscape. This paper traces the history of the usage of WhatsApp groups, the reasons that led to its rise as a news medium., and the developing practices used in its implementation. The paper also addresses the medium's journalistic deficiencies specific to the Lebanese case, such as, political party affiliation, anonymous authorship, disinformation, and the spread of rumors, and their consequences on critical political, social, and financial issues. The methodology used in this research relies on case study and mixed-methods approach that combines online data collection of usage statistics, message content across groups, and message frequency, with an in-depth analysis of the cases of major news message with political agenda. Since WhatsApp is a closed messenger with end-to-end encryption, data was taken from several news groups over a period of six months for the measurement of message frequency, message content political polarization, coverage focus, and triggering events that led to major social unrest.