Digital Contention in a Divided Society: Social Media, Parades and Protests in Northern Ireland

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Description

Representing the first in-depth qualitative study of how social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are used to mediate contentious public parades and protests in Northern Ireland, this book explores the implications of mis-and dis-information spread via online platforms for peacebuilding in societies transitioning out of conflict. -- .

Reviews

'Much that is written about the politics of Northern Ireland is based on highly selective accounts of the available evidence. Reilly eschews this approach, subjecting the political use of social media to sustained critique in this empirically rich study. In so doing, he makes a very valuable contribution to scholarship.'
Phil Ramsey, Lecturer in the School of Communication and Media, Ulster University

'A timely historical account cataloguing a rich collection of the author's empirical research, the book evinces continuity in polarisation among Northern Irish communities online. Showing how the use of social media adds further complexity to community relations, for instance through the pointed concept of 'silly citizenship', Reilly meticulously dispels earlier techno-optimism while further contextualising the algorithmic power of social media.'
Dan Mercea, Reader in Media and Communication, City, University of London

'While the darkest days of Northern Irelands "troubles" are over, the divisions have left lasting scars and in the twenty-first century the competing interpretations of the conflict and the countrys constitutional status remain entrenched. Reillys work explores the contribution of digital citizenship to peacebuilding within this complex context. The comprehensive and engaging analysis explores how a society beset with deeply held prejudices form online communities, share content and can be misled by misinformation so contributing to a range of wider debates on the role of digital media. As with many studies Reilly identifies positives, such as Citizen Assemblies and accounts that scrutinize decision making, as well as the acts of silly citizenship which satires sectarianism and can exacerbate divide. Reillys work is an important contribution to our understanding of digital politics, how platforms can be a force for good or ill depending on the motivations and behaviour of users, and how forms of digital citizenship can support or disrupt societal healing processes. Reillys study is a must read for scholars and students seeking to understand the complex roles which digital technologies play in socio-political life as well as for those seeking to understand the dynamics of present day Northern Ireland and how it might face the challenges of a post-Brexit world.'
Darren Lilleker, Professor of Political Communication, Bournemouth University

'An important addition to research on digital disinformation and misinformation in a society were conflict and division remain worryingly close to the surface.'
Una Murphy (View Magazine)

'A perfect academic study for identifying public engagement in the times of the dysfunctional politics searching for reconciliation through new conceptual tools like silly citizenship in post-Brexit Irish border that will remain disputed in the years to come.'
Murat Akser, Journal of Communication

'Reilly's book makes an invaluable contribution to the debate on the potential of citizen activity on online platforms to contribute to peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. It deserves attention.'
Kathryn Johnston, The Peace Journalist

'As Reilly explains, social media can be considered as vital during the mobilisation of social movements. This view can be seen as a critique to clicktivism because even though there are dangers that online platforms may increase division and tension between groups, Reilly argues that there is a chance and hope that, by looking at the Northern Irish case, one can argue that there would be more engagement and interactions between opponent groups in the future.'

'Reillys study is very useful to discuss how politics and digital citizenship take place in contentious times in divided societies. Whether social media are a part of the "problem" or encourage dialogue between opposing groups, he uses mixed research methods to strengthen his study.'
Hakan Karahasan, Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD)

'His work is very rich not only in terms of its literature but also its research methods and techniques and the way he elaborates such a complex situation in a clear way without simplifying the issue. Even though the book uses Northern Ireland as a case study, it is very useful for any kind of study that focuses on digital citizenship and activism as well as digital democracy and how divided societies and groups use social media in the age of digital world.'
Digital Contention

Author Bio

Paul Reilly is a Senior Lecturer in Social Media and Digital Society at the University of Sheffield