Social Media and E-Democracy in Fiji, Solomons and Vanuatu

Finau, G., Kant, R., Tarai, J., Prasad, A., Cox, J., & Logan, S. (2014). Social Media and e-democracy in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Twentieth Americas Conference on Information Systems, Savannah.

9 Pages Posted: 2 May 2017

See all articles by Glen Finau

Glen Finau

University of Tasmania, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, Students; University of the South Pacific; University of Tasmania, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, Students

Romitesh Kant

La Trobe University - School of Social Sciences; The University of the South Pacific, Suva

Sarah Logan

Australian National University (ANU)

Acklesh Prasad

Queensland University of Technology (deceased)

Jope Tarai

University of the South Pacific

John Cox

Australian National University (ANU)

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

This paper examines the extent social media is enabling e-democracy in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The study conducts an interpretative case study approach interviewing active social media users, political actors, civil servants, civilians, civil society actors and tertiary students. The study also conducts a content analysis of popular “political social media” Facebook pages in these three countries. The findings of the study suggest that social media is playing a role in facilitating citizen engagement with governments, making governments accountable and providing a means for citizens to be informed, to discuss and share views on political matters. However, social media usage is evolving quite differently in these three countries and factors such as high levels of militarism (Fiji), high levels of corruption (Solomon Islands) and also rapid ICT development (Vanuatu) have contributed towards shaping the potential of social media as a democratic enabler and political tool in these countries.

Keywords: Social Media, e-Democracy, Melanesia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

Suggested Citation

Finau, Glen and Kant, Romitesh and Kant, Romitesh and Logan, Sarah and Prasad, Acklesh and Tarai, Jope and Cox, John, Social Media and E-Democracy in Fiji, Solomons and Vanuatu (2014). Finau, G., Kant, R., Tarai, J., Prasad, A., Cox, J., & Logan, S. (2014). Social Media and e-democracy in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Twentieth Americas Conference on Information Systems, Savannah., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2951016

Glen Finau (Contact Author)

University of Tasmania, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, Students ( email )

Hobart
Australia

University of the South Pacific ( email )

Laucala Campus
Suva
Fiji

University of Tasmania, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, Students ( email )

Hobart
Australia

Romitesh Kant

La Trobe University - School of Social Sciences ( email )

Melbourne, Victoria 3086
Australia

The University of the South Pacific, Suva ( email )

Sarah Logan

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

Acklesh Prasad

Queensland University of Technology (deceased)

Jope Tarai

University of the South Pacific ( email )

John Cox

Australian National University (ANU) ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601
Australia

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