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Social media has a 'fascinating' impact on political engagement, University of Auckland professor says

The article from RNZ discusses the insights of University of Auckland Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment on the impact of social media on political engagement. She highlights that social media has transformed political communication by allowing politicians to directly interact with the public, bypassing traditional media filters. This direct line of communication enables politicians to gauge public sentiment more accurately and respond in real-time, fostering a more dynamic and immediate form of political engagement. However, Lees-Marshment also points out the challenges, such as the spread of misinformation, the echo chamber effect where individuals are exposed only to like-minded views, and the potential for social media to amplify negative or divisive political discourse. She emphasizes the need for politicians to use these platforms wisely to enhance democratic participation while being mindful of the platforms' inherent biases and limitations.

Read the Full rnz Article at:
[ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/539386/social-media-has-a-fascinating-impact-on-political-engagement-university-of-auckland-professor-says ]