Conceptualizing Forums and Blogs as Public Spheres

Digital Material, edited by M.V.T. Van den Boomen et al., 239-251, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press

13 Pages Posted: 30 Sep 2012 Last revised: 30 Sep 2012

See all articles by Thomas Poell

Thomas Poell

University of Amsterdam (UvA)

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

This chapter shows that the concepts of the public sphere and alternative public spheres, frequently used to understand the influence of the Internet on public debate, only have limited value when we examine particular forms of online communication in the context of actual societal conflict. More specifically, the investigation demonstrates that these concepts could only capture part of the different roles played by forums and blogs in the debate following the assassination of Theo van Gogh. Yet, the more or less isolated discussions and statements on the forums and blogs do seem to have a significant social and political impact, albeit much less direct and more diffuse than has so far been theorized.

Keywords: internet forums, blogs, public sphere, public debate, Netherlands

Suggested Citation

Poell, Thomas, Conceptualizing Forums and Blogs as Public Spheres (2009). Digital Material, edited by M.V.T. Van den Boomen et al., 239-251, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2154409

Thomas Poell (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam (UvA) ( email )

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
143
Abstract Views
1,042
Rank
434,384
PlumX Metrics