Impact of Modern Social Media on the UK Politics

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate.

DECLARATION

I, [names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The study on “the impact of modern social media upon politics” is a topic that has been analysed in the past with greater accuracy and precision. In today's fast moving world where the advancement in the information technology has given rise to different new media through which significant changes have been made in the present political system of various countries. The United Kingdom is one of the countries whose political conditions have been largely shaped up through the technological advancements. The There is no doubt that the social media especially the internet has revolutionized in the society for today, just as radio and television did in each of their respective times. The Internet has made information accessible, to anyone at any given time and has opened communication channels that that were not thought possible 20 years ago. Many entities have tried to harness the power of the Internet to their advantage, none more so than politics. People are turning to the Internet more and more for news. Politicians have taken note of this and are attempting to determine how the Internet is impacting potential voters. In the 2000 election, the Internet made its first major political appearance, with this new medium, the expectations were high. "There was a giddy, expectant hysteria. Measured against lofty expectations, and impossible hype, the Internet disappointed. The evolution of technology and the Internet gives politicians a whole new playing field, where the cost is minimal and the potential to reach more voters than with any other medium.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT2

DECLARATION3

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement2

Aims and Objectives of the Study2

Purpose of the Study3

Significance of the Study4

Rationale of the Study4

Research Questions5

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW6

Theoretical Framework6

Social Networking Sites6

Relationship between Social Networking Sites and Politics7

Past Studies on Political System and Social Media7

Politics and Social Media9

Importance of Social Media10

Political Process and Social Media11

Rise of Social Networking Sites13

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY14

Introduction14

Achievement of Aims of the Study14

Justification of Research Method15

Research design15

Method of Analysis16

Data collection Techniques17

Reason for adopting Qualitative17

Data Collection Sources18

Data Collection18

Research Instrument19

Reliability/Dependability19

Validity20

Ethical Consideration20

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION21

Social network sites21

Face book22

YouTube24

Twitter26

Impact of Social Media on U.K Politics28

Analysis of social change campaigns28

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION30

REFERENCES35

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The study on “the impact of modern social media upon politics” is a topic ...