Digitalizing the media and political communication landscape - Ernest Darkwa - Bog

The book unpacks the digitalization of the media landscape, regarding how social media is contributing to political communication and citizen political engagement in contemporary Ghana. The book argues that social media has been very significant in enhancing politics, political participation, communication, and the democratic engagement of the citizenry in Ghana- with regards to opening wider space and avenues for citizens to engage in political discussions and deliberations democratically and actively at less cost through various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the like. Through this, they engage with political actors and politicians in sharing ideas on pressing socio-political issues and the need to address them. This to an extent has created wider political engagement for the people, paving way for a broad, inclusive, and participatory democracy. Notwithstanding this significant role played by social media and its contributions towards increased political and democratic participation, the platforms have also served as avenues for creating online political hostility, fake news, and intimidation among others.