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Assignment 7: Twitter/X/Social Media Diplomacy Content Analysis

Word Limit: 400 (Not counting headings, citations, content analyzed, such as the actual social media posts/screenshots, etc.)

Post Your Word Count.

This nast week we examined Twitter/X/Social Media Diplomacy, including how it represents a departure from traditional diplomatic protocols/channels. We also discussed different tvnes of actors and how they use social media to engage in dinlomacy differently including who uses and the strategy hehind "ire hreakers" "disnuntion" "threat identification" "houndary activation""anneals for heln/mohilization" "disinformation" and many others.

Address one of the following four prompts:

1. Identify 1 event within a conflict and compare/contrast how at least three different types of actors in the event used social media and for what ends. Focus on their platform/ app, goals, messaging strategies, and engagement techniques.

● Some things to keep in mind as vou conduct vour comparison and analysis: tvpe of actor (government, iournalist, militia, terror group, civilians), role in the conflict and specific event, social media platform used (pick one), message type, threats/opportunities, us/them distinctions, time frame of analysis, type of message, purpose of message.

● Be sure to screenshot any content/actors highlighted

2. Compare/contrast how 2-3 different social media platforms are used differently in conflict. For example, how is Tik Tok used and for what ends compared to Facebook. X/ Twitter, Telegram, etc.? Who is using which type of platform? Why? How? What types of messages are being used? Explain your reasoning. You are expected to provide real world examples (screenshots or embedded hyperlinks to platform/actor/message)

● Consider why some nlatforms or anns are used hy some actors hut not others For examole why do Iran-hacked militias in Iran fiehting the US and Israel use Telegram? Whe do child exploitation grouns use Discord? Why do iournalists use Twitter/X or Bluesky?

● Be sure you screenshot any content/actors highlighted

3. Analyze how Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter/X and the subsequent platform changes (e.g., content moderation policies, subscription-based verification, algorithml adjustments) might influence the role of the platform in diplomacy and international relations.

● Consider both the potential opportunities and challenges for various actors, such as governments, journalists, FTOs and non-state actors, and individuals

● Guiding Questions:

○ How might changes to verification (e.g., paid blue checkmarks) affect the credibility of diplomatic actors on Twitter?

○ What impact could shifts in content moderation policies have on the spread of disinformation, propaganda, or hate speech?

○ How could changes to content moderation policies affect the ability of governments or international organizations to communicate effectively during crises or conflicts?

○ Could the platform's evolving algorithms affect whose messages are amplified and whose are suppressed? Has it already?

○ Be sure you screenshot any content/actors highlighted

○ Include at least one example of a diplomatic or conflict-related incident where the changes have/could have played a significant role

4. Describe how hashtags are used on social media by different actors to shape conflict narratives.

○ Choose one or two hashtags associated with a specific conflict or event (e.g., #UkraineWar, #ArabSpring, #FreePalestine). Analyze how at least 3 different actors used the hashtag(s) to achieve their goals, and the impact it had.