From Lurkers to Listeners: Introducing the Concept of Online Listening into Political Communication Studies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/gmjmx14.27-6Keywords:
deliberation, digital communication, online listening, political communicationAbstract
This essay argues that the practice of reading others’ discussions, comments, posts or tweets - which I call online listening - is meaningful for the listener as a standalone activity, and as part of the interaction between speakers and listeners. Thus, Internet and social media’s democratic value is not limited to the opportunity for self and collective expression, but also derives from the possibilities they provide for online listening, both for our communication with political elites, and in our mutual interactions as members of society. Political communication would benefit from doing research using this concept to have a better discernment of how digital communication processes have altered how humans acquire information, consolidate their opinions, can be exposed to other perspectives, and can enhance their tolerance toward others.
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Global Media Journal México, publicación semestral, editada por el Departamento de Psicología y Comunicación de Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas, Estados Unidos; y la Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, México. Editores responsables: Dr. José Carlos Lozano y Dr. Francisco Javier Martínez Garza. Datos de contactos: jose.lozano@tamiu.edu, tel. (956) 326-3117 y francisco.martinezgz@uanl.edu.mx, teléfono (81) 83294000, Ext. 7710 y 7711. Reserva de derechos al uso exclusivo número 04 – 2017- 080814012900- 203, expedido por la Dirección de Reservas de Derechos del Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor. ISSN: 2007-2031. El editor no necesariamente comparte el contenido de los artículos, ya que son responsabilidad exclusiva de los autores. Se prohíbe la reproducción total o parcial del contenido, ilustraciones y textos publicados en este número sin la previa autorización que por escrito emita el editor.
