Digital media and Politics

This article is written as part of one of the courses of the BA Online Culture: Art, Media and Society or the MA Online Culture at Tilburg University. Click on the link for more info on the courses and the programme.

In this international Bachelor’s program Online Culture: Art, Media and Society (Culture Studies) the focus is on digital culture and (new) media. From disciplines such as cultural studies and media studies you study how digitalization and globalization influence our way of living. You discuss new ways of communication, art expressions as well as (social) media expressions like memes and trolls. You research how such ways of communication and expressions are established and how they manifest in, and have influence on a society that increasingly takes place online. Additionally, you actively contribute to digital culture by writing papers and opinion pieces for our own online platform Diggit Magazine.

How Andrew Tate uses media literacy to gain online influence

How Andrew Tate gains influence through his media literacy

Paper

Femke van Bree

23/01/2023

19 minutes to read

Despite getting banned several times on a wide variety of online platforms, Andrew Tate continues to gain influence online. This article analyses Andrew Tate’s online presence, to show how he deploys his media literacy to spread his ideas.

Banner of PragerU Kids featuring the characters from their shows

PragerU Kids: Radical right-wing content for children

Article

Anna Skorodihina

06/03/2023

16 minutes to read

PragerU claims that PragerU Kids content was made as an educational alternative to fight indoctrination, but it seems like it aims to promote far-right ideology. This paper looks into how digital practices are used for radicalization.

Screenshot from an episode of Gavin McInnes's Get Off My Lawn on the "dangers of Drag Queen Story Hour"

Gavin McInnes and the threat of Western culture: the metapolitics of the 'anti-woke discourse'

Article

Gerard Castillo-Miralles

01/05/2023

18 minutes to read

Gavin McInnes is a far-right provocateur and Western chauvinist. This paper analyzes the metapolitical battle of McInnes through a deep dive into the 'anti-woke discourse' as well as his most effective strategies.

Cover page of Kostadin Kostadinov and the members of Revival in the background

The political message of Revival's leader Kostadin Kostadinov

Article

Iva Konstantinova

22/02/2023

13 minutes to read

The leader of far-right political party Revival in Bulgaria has taken steps toward acquiring power in the country’s political affairs. This article explores how this far-right leader has managed to stand out in the political crowd.

Matteo Salvini: Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Digital Media

Paper

Anita Vrins

Irene Loghi

Angelica Frosio

Chiara Gerbino

Marta Gentili

21/02/2022

11 minutes to read

Matteo Salvini is a prominent figure in Italian politics. Part of his influence comes from a successful combination of traditional and digital media advertising. In this article, it is discussed how Salvini manages to stay ahead of the competition.

QAnon and how they remain visible in the hybrid media system

Article

Sophie Mols

15/01/2022

11 minutes to read

QAnon keeps succeeding in spreading its messages despite the efforts of social media to censor them. This article explores how the tactics they use, real-world events, and the current media landscape influence this.

Bolsonaro holding a cell phone with his right hand in front of his face

The hate machine: how Bolsonaro makes use of algorithmic knowledge

Article

Larissa Andrade Pereira

11/01/2022

15 minutes to read

This paper aims to illustrate how Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro - and his communication strategists also known as the “hate cabinet” - make use of algorithmic knowledge in order to circulate his message and ideology in the hybrid media system.

Viktor Orbán: An Authoritarian Right Under Europe’s Nose

Article

Ot van de Rijzen

04/11/2022

10 minutes to read

This article provides a breakdown of Orbán's political ideology, a look into his presentation in different media landscapes, and an analysis of his use of big organizing and his role in regard to algorithmic populism and activism.