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Posters


Session: P1 - Poster: Justyna Zegarmistrz (OLIP): The Uses and Future of Social Media in the Ontario Legislature

Date: May 31, 2016 | Time: 08:45am to 10:15am | Location: Science Theatres 142


Sponsor: Provincial and Territorial Politics in Canada and Beyond / Politique provinciale et territoriale au Canada et au-delĂ 


Discussant/Commentateur: Vincent Raynauld (Emerson College)

Participants & Authors/Auteurs:

Justyna Zegarmistrz (Ontario Legislature Internship Programme) : The Uses and Future of Social Media in the Ontario Legislature

Abstract: Social media has grown to take an increasingly prominent role in modern life, and the political sphere has been no exception to this phenomenon. With constant access to platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. the use of social media has become a near mandatory tool for both MPPs and governmental organizations alike. Nevertheless, social media changes rapidly and the way individuals in the Legislature use these platforms is constantly evolving. This paper aims to identify the ways in which Ministers, backbench MPPs, and Independent Officers of the Legislature use social media and how they develop and implement their social media strategies. In addition to secondary literature, primary interviews will also be conducted from members of all parties and the different Independent Officers of the Legislature. Drawing a wide-breadth of individuals will allow this paper to explore a wide-range of social media practices and attitudes. This essay will also consider factors such as the introduction of new technological devices in the House, party policy, riding composition, target audience as well as personal factors to best understand the motivations and manners of using social media in the modern political world.


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