Why People Dual Screen Political Debates and Why It Matters for Democratic Engagement

Andrew Chadwick, Ben O'Loughlin, Cristian Vaccari

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Abstract

Dual screening during televised election debates is a new domain in which political elites and journalists seek to influence audience attitudes and behavior. But to what extent do non-elite dual screeners seek to influence others, particularly their social media followers, social media users in general, and even politicians and journalists? And how does this behavior affect short- and longer-term engagement with election campaigns? Using unique, event-based, panel survey data from the main 2015 UK general election debate (Wave 1 = 2,351; Wave 2 = 1,168) we reveal the conditions under which people experience agency, empowerment, and engagement now that social media have reconfigured broadcast political television.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)220-239
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
Volume61
Issue number2
Early online date26 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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