New Media Studies

Common templates and types of gossip discourse in cyberspace

reza kamari; Abbas Assadi; Amir Hesam Eshaghi

Volume 9, Issue 35 , October 2023, , Pages 76-37

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2024.69343.1449

Abstract

Social networks, more commonly known as mobile platforms, provide an informal but pervasive means for the creation and circulation of significant rumors and disinformation. These acts ... Read More Social networks, more commonly known as mobile platforms, provide an informal but pervasive means for the creation and circulation of significant rumors and disinformation. These acts can have profoundly negative effects on individuals and society at large, making them a highly problematic issue. Underlying causes and potential measures to curb the proliferation of this anomalous phenomenon of virtual communication are crucial for mitigating its adverse consequences on individuals and society as a whole. Rumors are commonly studied within social networks as it is the primary platform for user-driven information sharing, increasing the risk of the spread of misinformation and invalid information. The present study aimed to identify the various forms of gossip and to analyze its discourse in cyberspace using the theme analysis technique. For this purpose, we examined relevant scientific sources, specifically articles, dissertations, and relevant databases. Among the varied techniques of theme analysis, we employed the theme network technique. The primary purpose of theme analysis is to distill meaning and identify patterns from qualitative data. This analytical method allows for the transformation of scattered and disparate data into rich and detailed insights. The study of rumors and virtual space is a relatively recent field of expertise involving the examination of online communication dynamics and its potential impacts. The method used in the present research was quantitative and involved a thematic analysis approach. A total of 30 data points (articles, dissertations, and research plans) were collected and examined after an exhaustive analysis of relevant literature spanning recent studies and investigations. Additionally, a total of 15 data samples were analyzed to identify codes and concepts. As per the organization of the study and the classification of themes, we have the overarching theme, "form and discourse of rumors in cyber space," consisting of three organized themes and 19 basic themes. The overview of the thematic organization and categorization is shown in Table 1. Table No. 1: List of overarching themes, organized themes and basic themes Overarching themes Organized topics Basic themes The format and discourse of rumors in cyberspace Informality of the source Non-news content Changeable content Believable content Folk content Undocumented and non-scientific content Unclear content and ambiguity Exaggerated content Fiery content A disastrous combination truth seeker critical freedom seeking human rights emotional prophetic Background Special topics Social-civil political-security Rumor is a kind of social phenomenon that spreads rapidly and on a large scale through communication circuits, earning its notoriety as an abnormal occurrence that social scientists have investigated extensively. Some methods have emerged that can effectively counter its proliferation. Rumors are not a modern phenomenon but a historical problem, whose significance has only increased in contemporary times. Ever since ancient Rome, rumors have posed a constant headache for rulers and authorities. Some individuals even resorted to manipulating and exacerbating rumors for their own benefit. They were named informants or rumor mongers. The examination of data has indicated that political instability and a widening gap between nation and government have resulted in a general atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust, enabling rumors to thrive. Additionally, the availability of unrestricted news and information on the virtual space has allowed rumors to proliferate unopposed, pervading people's logical reasoning and influencing their beliefs and behaviors. In societies going through a transition, a close relationship between political and economic systems is evident. Political challenges lead to economic fluctuations in various aspects of people's lives, triggering concerns and uncertainties. While the social, political, and economic dimensions act as the underlying or determining factors of rumors, there is strong evidence that the format and discourse used in the virtual space can exert an influence on these parameters. Previous data, mentioned earlier, illustrates that other variables, such as trust in virtual spaces, public awareness, social class, and participation with the message, can also be involved in rumor production and effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended that future research explores these variables in relation to the discourse's main component, context, and format. In conclusion, rumor is recognized as a threat and societal ill with far-reaching implications. The importance of the mass media in rumor production and proliferation can't be overlooked. In order to lengthen and intensify the impact of rumors on public opinion, the purveyors seek out ways to infiltrate the mass media, as it possesses a crucial role in influencing this matter. Rumor is a societal issue and danger, which has become increasingly prevalent due to the impact of the digital media. By exploiting the power of the virtual space, rumor-mongers have managed to infiltrate the mass media, leading to the spread and propagation of rumors. Understanding the factors underlying the production and disseminating rumors is crucial for effectively countering the issue, mainly through examining the role played by the discourse structure, format, and context. Following is an overview of the key features of these parameters. In conclusion, rumor is regarded as a social malaise and danger. Considering what has been highlighted, it is possible to highlight the significance of the mass media (or virtual space) in producing and disseminating rumors. The rumor-mongers are on the lookout for ways to infiltrate the mass media, as it has a significant bearing on the longevity of rumors within the public domain.

The Impact of New Media Use on the Body Management of Club Women Mediated by Social Acceptance

arman heidari; vahid dastyar; Fatemeh Jafari

Volume 8, Issue 32 , January 2023, , Pages 275-237

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2022.49787.909

Abstract

Being absent in traditional sociological analysis, today the body and the body concept is at the heart of our sociology, social life, and identity self-concept. With the development ... Read More

Identifying the Dimensions of Social Life of Citizens Affected by Cyberspace (A mixed study)

maryam pourjamshidi; akbar momeni rad; Afshin Afzali

Volume 6, Issue 21 , April 2020, , Pages 179-211

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2020.45484.805

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the dimensions of social life of citizens and their impact on cyberspace in Hamadan province. The method of the present study is a mixed-type ... Read More

The relation of using satellite, Internet and virtual social networks on the attitude toward friendship with the opposite sex before marriage (Case study: Students of Arak University)

ehsan Mobaraki; Mohammad Sharafi

Volume 5, Issue 18 , November 2019, , Pages 131-166

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2019.24689.297

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation of the use of modern communication technologies (satellite, Internet, and virtual social networks) on students' attitude toward ... Read More

Cyber Diplomacy Influence on Viewpoint of Iranian Users of Cyberspace (Case Study: USA Dar Farsi Facebook Webpage)

Seyyed Rouhollah Hadj Zargarbashi; Ehsan Movahhedian

Volume 4, Issue 15 , November 2018, , Pages 73-112

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2018.34886.569

Abstract

The subject of this article is “U.S Cyber Diplomacy Influence on Viewpoint of Iranian Users of Cyberspace(Case Study: USA Dar Farsi Facebook Webpage)”. Nowadays, using Internet ... Read More

Study of components associated with the use religious content of online media by an active audience (Case study of youth in Tehran -2017)

saeid ghanbary; Soodeh Javadi; davood abdollahi

Volume 4, Issue 16 , January 2018, , Pages 112-142

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2019.24213.275

Abstract

Target: Since today, religious content has been widely disseminated on the Internet, and the audience is using it according to the style of their media consumption, this study aimed ... Read More

The impact of internet parenting styles on internet use of students

Hossein Motahhari Nejad; Mohadeseh Ghasemi Nejad

Volume 4, Issue 16 , January 2018, , Pages 301-333

https://doi.org/10.22054/nms.2019.22366.231

Abstract

The use of internet in all areas, is increasing. Students are among the main users of the Internet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of internet parenting styles on ... Read More

Media Literacy Education in Cyberspace A case study of Canadian website “Media Smarts” and Iranian website “Media Literacy”

Alireza Hoseyni Pakdehi; Hosnieh Al-sadat Shobeyri

Volume 3, Issue 9 , May 2017, , Pages 31-76

https://doi.org/10.22054/cs.2017.9241.25

Abstract

In different countries, media literacy education methods and success rates differ. For example, Canada, with its profound history in media literacy education, is the most successful ... Read More

U.S Cyber Diplomacy Influence on Viewpoint of Iranian Users of Cyberspace (Case Study: Voice of America Website)

Seyyed Mohammad Tabatabaei; Hosein Salimi; Ehsan Movahedian

Volume 2, Issue 6 , December 2016, , Pages 123-163

https://doi.org/10.22054/cs.2016.7165

Abstract

The subject of this article is “U.S Cyber Diplomacy Influence on Viewpoint of Iranian Users of Cyberspace (Case Study: Voice of America Website)”. U.S government tried to ... Read More

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Keywords = Internet

Common templates and types of gossip discourse in cyberspace

Abstract

The Impact of New Media Use on the Body Management of Club Women Mediated by Social Acceptance

Abstract

Identifying the Dimensions of Social Life of Citizens Affected by Cyberspace (A mixed study)

Abstract

The relation of using satellite, Internet and virtual social networks on the attitude toward friendship with the opposite sex before marriage (Case study: Students of Arak University)

Abstract

Cyber Diplomacy Influence on Viewpoint of Iranian Users of Cyberspace (Case Study: USA Dar Farsi Facebook Webpage)

Abstract

Study of components associated with the use religious content of online media by an active audience (Case study of youth in Tehran -2017)

Abstract

The impact of internet parenting styles on internet use of students

Abstract

Media Literacy Education in Cyberspace A case study of Canadian website “Media Smarts” and Iranian website “Media Literacy”

Abstract

U.S Cyber Diplomacy Influence on Viewpoint of Iranian Users of Cyberspace (Case Study: Voice of America Website)

Abstract