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    PhD Proposal

    Leonard Makombe - 15852938

    Promoter - Dr. G.J. Botma

    Title

    From the screen to the street? A critical analysis of Facebook and Twitter discourse and how

    it influenced public political participation in Zimbabwe during the 2013 elections

    B.1 Preliminary study and rationale

    .the internet is the most democratising innovation ever seen Joe Trippi (quoted

    in Hindman, 2009: 2).

    International debate on social medias potential to influence political participation was

    evident from the 1990s onwards (Breindl, 2010:43; Atton, 2004) with Trippis sentiments

    underscoring optimism in new technologies. However, criticism against unqualified optimism

    gathered momentum after the 2009 post-elections protests in Iran and Moldova as well as

    the so-called Arab Spring1 (Starbird & Palen, 2012; Shirky, 2011; Mungiu-Pippidi &

    Munteanu, 2009;). Some studies confirm social medias2 catalysing role in revolts, also

    termed Twitter Revolutions (Shirky, 2011), claiming that Facebook provided tools to

    facilitate interaction and responses to questions they (activists) would have found difficult to

    answer offline (Aouragh & Alexander, 2011:349). Moreover, social media technologies, of

    which Facebook and Twitter are part, represent an important instrumental resource

    (Eltantawy & Wiest, 2011:1212) to bridge participatory gaps, empowering and mobilising

    citizens to participate both online and offline. Critics, however, contend that social media

    bring inconsequential change as protests could still have occurred without them (Gladwell,

    2011; Morozov, 2011; Alterman, 2011). Gladwell (2011) emphasises the historical role of the

    word of mouth as more important than Facebook and Twitter.

    I am inclined to subscribe to the optimists because as Shirky (2011) and Starbid and Palen

    (2012) argue, social media have altered political participation and in Zimbabwe Facebook

    1Popular protests that started as what was termed the Jasmine Revolution in late 2010 in Tunisia resulting in

    the change of government before spreading to Egypt then other Arab, North African and Sub-Saharan

    countries.2

    Social media refers to a group of internet based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user

    generated content. Social media takes various forms like social networks, blogs, weblogs and video. Socialmedia tools which have been highly emphasised include Facebook, Twitter and YouTube (Kaplan & Haenlein,

    2010).

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    and Twitter offer new platforms for citizen engagement. Social media allow for the sharing of

    information, discussion of political topics and mobilisation for offline political activities

    including voting, attending political rallies or participating in a demonstration.

    Active political participation started to decline after independence in 1980 as Zimbabwe

    developed into an authoritarian regime rather than a liberal democracy with less credible

    elections and low voter turnout (Sithole, 2001). A rapid legislated closure of political space

    since 2000 (Freedom House, 2012) coiniciding with steep economic decline and negatively

    impacted political participation as the focus of the electorate was on survival, not politics

    (Schlee, 2011:1).

    The stifling of political space hindered mainstream medias role as watchdogs and

    custodians of the public good and active citizens (Moyo, 2011:2), arguably giving

    momentum to emerging alternative media platforms. Faced with a restrictive legal

    environment, activists and grassroot organisations initiated innovative strategies to

    broadcast content (Windeck, 2010; Moyo, 2012:484), including shortwave radio stations,

    roadcasting (distributing pre-recorded audio materials), podcasting, mass short message

    services (mass SMS) and interactive voice responses. Roadcasting contravened the Access

    to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (2001) (Moyo, 2012:485), as distribution of

    audio materials required registration with the Media and Information Commission. Mass

    SMS could be monitored under the Interception of Communications Act (2006), while

    shortwave broadcasts were interfered with by the state using equipment bought in China

    (Mavhunga, 2008:2). The internet, and especially social media, thus emerged as a popular

    site for citizens seeking alternative information (Kelly & Cook, 2011; Zaffiro, 2001). This

    trend gave rise to new reform based emergent alternative media narrative that encourage,

    articulate and stimulate public participation (Mutsvairo & Columbus, 2012:8) and a platform

    to distribute content as well as an avenue to discuss a taboo subject without fear of being

    reprimanded by the secretive and authoritarian state (Mpofu, 2011:1). New informationcommunication technologies (ICTs) altered the media landscape allowing alternative voices

    to proliferate (Zaffiro, 2001:114) and despite signals weakening relative to distance from

    urban centres, internet access through mobile phones has spread across the country (See

    annex C).

    Adopting Internet based platforms ties in with cyber optimists (see Starbird & Palen, 2012;

    Shirky, 2011; Diamond, 2010) proposition that social media can be leveraged for political

    participation within repressive environments.

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    A preliminary study has shown that there is growing use of Facebook and Twitter in

    Zimbabwe as politicians, political parties, activists, interest groups and ordinary citizens use

    both for political information, discussion and feedback. Facebook and Twitter use was

    evident during theconstitution making process recently. For example, Parliamentary

    Monitor, a Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/parlymonitor), used the

    platform to disseminate copies of the draft constitution as well as information on location of

    polling stations and voting regulations during the referendum. Twitter was used to post

    opinions, links and news during the constitution making process and to update results of

    the referendum. Facebook and Twitter allowed debates and discussions, thus widened the

    debate on the constitution.

    Despite a growing body of literature on the use of social media in Zimbabwe (see Mutsvairo

    & Columbus, 2012; Moyo, 2011; Kelly & Cook, 2011; Masuku, 2011;), no netnographical

    studies have focused specifically on how social media influences political participation during

    elections. Examining how social media influences political participation in Zimbabwe will

    yield important insights on claims by cyber-optimists that social media offer alternative,

    affordable and cost effective platforms for political participation within repressive societies

    (see Starbird & Palen, 2012; Shirky, 2011; Mungiu-Pippidi & Munteanu, 2009).

    B.2 Problem statement and focus

    Zimbabwe is considered a repressive and not free country (Freedom House, 2012) with

    decreasing active political participation, for example voting in national elections (Sithole,

    2001) and a muzzled media (Moyo, 2011). The repressive political environment and muzzled

    media opened opportunities for use of social media for political information, discussion and

    mobilisation. Facebook3 and Twitter4 are dominant social media platforms in Zimbabwe

    with .(Facebook) accounts already opened by virtually all sectors (Mutsvairo &

    Columbus, 2012:1). This research looks at how Facebook and Twitter are used as

    instruments to mobilise the Zimbabweans to participate during the 2013 elections as was the

    3Facebook is the largest and most ubiquitous social networking website on the Internet. Developed in 2003,

    Facebook has since expanded significantly; the company opened its international headquarters in 2008 with an

    active user base of 100 million, and now boasts a user base of more than 1 billion. Source:

    http://newsroom.fb.com/Key-Facts(accessed 25 March 2012).4

    Twitter, launched in 2006, is a popular social networking and micro-blogging service by which users can send

    and receive text-based posts of up to 140 characters, known informally as tweets. While it was launched

    several years ago, Twitter has expanded most rapidly in recent months; As of December 2012, Twitter had 200million users per month. Source: http://thenextweb.com/twitter/2012/12/18/twitter-now-has-200-million-

    monthly-active-users-up-60-million-in-9-months

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/parlymonitorhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/parlymonitorhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/parlymonitorhttp://newsroom.fb.com/Key-Factshttp://newsroom.fb.com/Key-Factshttp://newsroom.fb.com/Key-Factshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/parlymonitor
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    case in the mass protests in Moldova, Iran, Egypt and Tunisia (Starbird & Palen, 2012;

    Shirky, 2011; Mungiu-Pippidi & Munteanu, 2009).

    B. 3 Theoretical points of departure, research questions and hypotheses

    Theorising mass media remains problematic as the field is characterised by fragmentation

    and insufficient coherence (Dahlgren, 2005). Chaffee and Metzger (2001:374) question the

    validity, applicability and relevance of mass communication theories assuming a centralised

    mass media system in a decentralised and demassified environment. With social media,

    including Facebook and Twitter, content becomes more diversified, there are more world

    views and no clearly identifiable mainstream rendering some mass media theories irrelevant.

    These media platforms provide new opportunities to various groups and give power to

    people whose agendas would not have been reported in major mass media (Chaffee &

    Metzger, 2001). Social media eliminates induced hegemony (Chaffee & Metzger; 2001) by

    moving power from elites to a greater proportion of media users.

    Castells (1996; 2009) and van Dijk (1999) have shown how various networks emerged with

    social media use. Social media differs from unidirectional traditional media by allowing the

    sending and receiving of messages thus enabling mass self communication (Castells,

    2009:56) which is amore horizontal style of communication without a hierarchy (Lilleker &

    Jackson 2008: 6). Horizontal communication allows forging of weak ties with strangers to

    establish networks where social characteristics are less influential in framing or even

    blocking communications (Castells, 1996: 388). These social networks offeran interactive

    system which features feedback effects and communications from anywhere to anywhere

    within the network (Castells, 2009: 7) and anyone with the right technology can publish

    opinions in real time to mass audiences (Luoma-aho, 2011:3). The strength of the weak

    ties according to Granovetter (1973:1361) lies in theirpotential for diffusion, social mobility,

    political organisation and social cohesion in general.

    In addition to the horizontal nature of communications ushered in by social media including

    Facebook and Twitter, these platforms have a dialogical complexity lying in their flexibility

    that communicators often have with regard to where to post messages, who to engage with

    and the language to use during interaction (Rambe, 2012:297). Additionally, the two

    platforms are grounded in connectivism framework (Rambe, 2012:297) allowing

    knowledge production that value connected networks, shared generation of content and use

    of complex, adaptive systems for knowledge generation (Rambe, 2012:297). To be able to

    fully analyse the networks, this research employs Critical Discourse Analysis (henceforth

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    CDA), an approach that focusses on how social relations, identity, knowledge and power

    are constructed through written and spoken texts in communities, schools the media and the

    political arena (Fairclough, 1989:20).CDA is an analytic tool that can be used in the close

    readings of editorials, op-eds, columns, adverts and other public texts (Huckin, 2002:4).

    Other CDA scholars (Hacker & van Dijk, 2000) argue that social media allows for public

    discourse without limits of time, place or other physical conditions enabling citizens to seek

    to address socio-economic issues that matter to them.

    A preliminary study has shown that network theory is applicable to the Zimbabwean context

    as there are networks which have emerged as a result of Facebook and Twitter use. While it

    is difficult to strictly apply traditional theories (like the four theories [Siebert, Peterson and

    Schramm: 1956]) to the Zimbabwean press, it is very easy to identify the horizontal

    communication (Lilleker & Kackson, 2008:6) and interactive systems which features

    feedback effects and communications (Castells, 2009:7) brought about by Facebook and

    Twitter. Facebook and Twitter are based on networks and interactivity and can be valuable

    for political participation in Zimbabwe like any other environment through the weak ties and

    anonymity they provide (Castells, 1996:388). Everyone now has the possibility to put out

    information, create knowledge and highlight relevant issues within these networks thus

    undercutting the power of the mainstream media. As Castells (2009:263 264) argues, one

    result of social media in repressive regimes is the emergence of insurgent communities asindividuals perceiving an oppression transform their shared protest into a community of

    practice, their practice being resistance. This means that the networks of social media users

    in Zimbabwe can be used for resistance which comes in the form of protests,

    demonstrations or voting against perceived repressions.

    Resultantly, the networks that have developed as a result of the use of Facebook and Twitter

    have a bearing on offline political participation. Verba, Scholzman & Brady (1995) define

    political participation as an activity that has the intent or effect of influencing governmentaction or selection of people who make policies. Political participation includes wearing party

    regalia, attending a rally, voting, buying a political party membership card, giving money to a

    candidate or demonstrating on the streets. It is the thrust of this research to acsertain how

    the Facebook and Twitter networks made by Zimbabweans influence offline political

    participation as defined above. Scholars (Verba & Nie, 1972; Verba, Scholzman & Brady

    1995) argue that people may not participate in politics because they do not want to, they

    cannot or nobody has asked them to.

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    This study uses network theory as propounded by Castells (2009) to investigate how

    Facebook and Twitter users employed the platforms for political discourse during elections in

    Zimbabwe in 2013. CDA as a powerful critical research tool is applied to analyse the

    contexts generated through the political discourse and their impact on informing, mobilising,

    explaining and describing the elections.

    From the discussion above, two theoretical departure points can be formulated:

    I. CDA can be applied to analyse Facebook and Twitter discourse so as to gain insight

    on how these platforms of engagement transforms political participation especially

    voting.

    II. Facebook and Twitter provide citizens with a platform for public discourse to address

    socio-political issues or organise for greater attention of the issues, and the discourse

    can be analysed using CDA.

    Research Questions

    Flowing from the theoretical points of departure a general research question is formulated: In

    what way did social media, specifcally Facebook and Twitter, facilitate public

    participaton in the election of a new government in Zimbabwe in 2013.

    Following from the general research question are four specific research questions:

    1) Who used Facebook and Twitter for political discourse during the 2013 elections in

    Zimbabwe?

    2) Do the Facebook and Twitter users who conversed on elections in Zimbabwe in 2013

    demonstrate key features of a network society?

    3) What political discourse took place within the Facebook and Twitter communityduring the 2013 elections in Zimbabwe?

    4) What was the impact of the discourse within the Facebook and Twitter community on

    public participation during the 2013 elections in Zimbabwe?

    Hypotheses

    Drawing from the theoretical framework, it is assumed that citizens in repressive political

    systems may use Facebook and Twitter for political participation which correlates with offline

    action. As a result of this, the study seeks to test three hypotheses:

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    Hypothesis 1 Using Twitter and Facebook lowers threshold for participation by offering

    flexible platforms that are more effective in spreading information, mobilising supporters and

    making opinions.

    Hypothesis 2 The ties formed as a result of the use of Twitter and Facebook facilitate offline

    public political participation.

    Hypothesis 3 Facebook and Twitter networks create communities of practice, aimed at

    resisting hegemony.

    B.4 Research design and methods

    Ethical considerations

    This research will be guided by the University of Stellenbosch ethics policy and the

    researcher will apply for ethical clearance prior to to its commencement.

    The researcher will make sure that participants in the survey and structured interviews

    (Annex A and B) sign an infomed consent form. Information gathered in this research will

    remain confidential and names of respondents shall also remain confidential.

    Research design

    Both qualitative and quantitative methods shall be used to collect and analyse data to

    provide more comprehensive evidence for studying a research problem (Creswell & Clark,

    2006:9). Content analysis, a systematic and replicable examination of symbols ofcommunication (Riffe, Lacy, & Fico, 2005), shall be used together with a survey.

    Data Collection

    Adopting content analysis as a tool to collect and analyse Twitter and Facebook presents

    opportunities to work with huge data on human communication around a certain issue what

    Karpf (2012:10) calls siren song of abundant data. Karlson and Stromback (2010) point out

    that researchers may not be able to trap the streams of data as they happen as they go

    without being archived. Boyd and Crawford (2012:669) note that researchers working on

    Twitter are not getting the firehose of the complete content stream, but merely a

    gardenhose of very limited number of tweets. This means that this study has to come up

    with mechanisms to trap and archive the data and employ data collection methods that

    improve representativeness of sampled data.

    Collection of Facebook data shall start with the identification of all searchable Facebook

    groups discussing Zimbabwe politics. These groups shall be identified through the use of a

    Facebook search engine, From this population 10 groups shall be randomly sampled, from a

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    population established by use of search engines (n). Facebook groups shall be arranged

    alphabetically in ascending order and have a number between 1 and n assigned to it in

    descending order. A random number generator shall be used to produce 10 numbers

    between 1 and n with each group with the corresponding number being included in the

    sample.

    Unlike Facebook, where data can be archived, Twitter keeps tweets (bursts of information

    of 140 characters or less) available to the public for at most 10 days(). This means that there

    should be a method of trapping the tweets as they are broadcast for future analysis.

    Additionally, there should also be a mechanism for selecting relevant tweets. In this regard,

    this research shall use the twitter hash tag (#) which is a used to highlight the relevance of

    a tweet to a trending topic to isolate tweets for collection. For the 2013 Zimbabwe elections,

    the researcher has identified five relevant hash tags namely(#zimelections,

    #zimdecides2013, #zimelection, #zimvote and #zimdecides.)5 This researcher shall use

    Tweet Archivist, a commercial light but powerful software that is used to collect tweets

    according to a hash tag and storing them as a Microsoft Excel document.(see annex D for a

    sample of what the archived tweets would look like) The archiving of tweets using this

    software can be over any period and for this research, the tweets will be collected over 51

    days that is 25 days prior to voting and 25 days after with the actual voting on July 31 being

    the mid-point6. The collection of this data is unobtrusive.

    The foregoing lay the basis for analysing data to determine whether participation was

    caused by tweets, content on Twitter and or Facebook. It is clear that the data collected for

    both Facebook and Twitter may give the research rich structured data. However, and the

    behaviours and activities online (RQ2, RQ3 and RQ4) but this may not explain why people

    do what they do online hence the need to use a survey. A preliminary study has shown that

    Facebook users do not disclose much demographic information, something which a

    questionnaire, considered more objective (Oppenheim, 1992) and able to produce

    generalisable results, will do. Respondents will be selected through convenient sampling,

    where the questionnaire is posted on several Facebook pages and direct invitation to Twitter

    users. This is a very obtrusive approach and the researcher shall openly say what the

    purpose of the survey is. In the event of limited responses, the researcher will resend the

    5

    A hash tag, which also functions as a search string, connects a tweet to larger themes6 The collection and archiving of the tweets has already started. The period was selected as it best describes

    voting period.

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    questionnaire. It has to be stated that the research and ethics policy of the Stellenbosch

    University shall be used as the guide.

    Data Analysis

    This survey will collect data to address RQ1, probing gender, age, level of education,

    profession, income, membership to online and offline organisations and political participation

    online and its effects offline. Numeric data collected shall be used to test all three

    hypotheses and the relevance of the network theory. Oppenheim (2002) identified faulty

    design, incoherent sampling and biased questionnaire design and wording as possible

    weaknesses when administering a survey. A pilot test, to ascertain consistency and

    correctness (Fink, 2009), will be used to minimise these weaknesses. SPSS version 17

    (software the researcher has a working knowledge of) will be used to analyse survey data

    because it allows for in-depth data access and preparation, analytical reporting, graphics

    and modelling.

    CDA and Content Analysis will also be used to analyse data. The procedure for CDA data

    analysis shall start with a random selection of texts (from both Twitter and Facebook) which

    is the sample frame identified above. The selected texts will then be critically examined to

    identify contexts (answering research questions 1 and 2). Finally, the researcher would then

    use CDA to consider the intentions of the text, that is, asking what the text wanted to achieve

    and in the process answer research questions 2, 3 and 4.

    CDA data analysis may not give a complete picture of all underlying meanings in the

    discourse especially regarding the frequency with which certain words, statements and tone,

    which may be critical in understanding the effects of the discourse on public political

    participation. This gap could easily be bridged by use of content analysis which is defined by

    Riffe, Lacy and Fico (2005) as a systemic and replicable analysis of symbols of

    communications. Content analysis allows for the analysis of relationships to describe thecommuniations, draw inferences about its or infer from the communication to its context,

    both of production and consumption (Riffe, Lacy, & Fico, 2005). This study shall employ the

    stages of content analysis suggested by Riffe, Lacy and Fico (2005) which start with

    selecting a sample. Random samplinshall be used on the data collected as explain above.

    From the sample, categories are defined for coding, followed by the coding of data. The next

    step will be to assess the reliability of the coded data and the analysis as well as the

    interpretation of the results. Data coding, which is a systematic way in which to condense

    extensive data sets into smaller analysable units through the creation of categories and

    concepts derived from the data (Lockyer, 2004:1) makes information manageable and

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    Annex A. Survey Questionnaire

    I. GENERAL INFORMATION

    1. City/Tow/Area Located:

    1. City

    2. Town 3. Growth Point

    4. Rural Area

    2. Sex:

    1.Male

    2.Female

    3. Age: ___

    4. Education:

    1. Primary School

    2. Secondary School

    3. Tertiary Education

    4. First Degree

    5. Graduate Degree

    5. Occupation:__________________________

    6 Monthly Salary: US$____________

    II. FACEBOOK USAGE

    7. How long have you been using Facebook?

    1. 5 years and above

    2. 3-4 years

    3. 1-2 years

    4. 11 months and below

    8. How did you get to know about Facebook?

    1. Through Family Member

    2. Through Friends

    3. Others, specify _________

    9. Where do you access Facebook? (check as many as appropriate)

    1. Home

    2. Office

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    3. School

    4. Internet Caf

    5. Cellphone

    6. Others, Specify ___________

    10. What time of the day do you usually access your Facebook account?1. 12 midnight 6 am

    2. 6 am -12 noon

    3. 12 noon 6 pm

    4. 6pm 12 midnight

    5. I am online the whole day

    11. On average, how many hours do you spend on Facebook per day?

    1. Less than 1 hour

    2. 2 hours to 3 hours

    3. 4 hours to 5 hours

    4. More than 6 hours

    12. How many days do you access Facebook in a week?

    1. One

    2. Two

    3. Three

    4. Four

    5. Five

    6. Six

    7. Seven 13. How many are your Facebook friends as of this survey?

    1. < 100

    2. Between 101 to 300

    3. Between 301 to 600

    4. Between 601 to 900

    5. Between 901 to 1200

    6. 1201 and above

    14. What do you usually do when you log in to Facebook? Please rank according to priority (5 highest

    1 lowest)

    ____Post and view pictures

    ____Post and view videos

    ____Read and comment on posts

    ____Post and share links

    ____Update My Status

    15. Do you use Facebook to look for information on (please check as many as appropriate)

    1. Politics

    2. Education

    3.

    Health

    4. Artists

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    5. Jokes

    6. Religion

    7. Others, specify ____________________

    16. When you see an interesting political post or information (video, photo, wall post, link) do you

    immediately share it to your other friends?

    1. Yes

    2. No

    3. Sometimes

    17. If your answer to the above is Yes, what prompts you to share the information?

    1. The information on the post is important and needs to be shared immediately

    2. The post is funny

    3. The post is emotionally touching

    4. The post is disgusting and I want to freak my friends out

    5. The post says something I believe in

    18. If your answer to question # 16 is No, Why not?

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________

    19. Do you think Facebook and other Social networking sites are effective sources of political

    information?

    1. Yes

    2. No

    3. Maybe

    20. If you answered Yes to Question # 19, why?

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________

    21. If you answered no to Question # 19, why not?

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________

    ______________________________________________________________________

    22. Have you ever posted anything political on your Facebook wall or group you belong to?

    1. Yes

    2. No

    23. What political topics are you interested to find on Facebook?

    1. Basic Information / News

    2. Updates by Politicians 3. Official Political Party Updates

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    4. Others, specify ______________________

    24. Rank the following as to the most valuable Facebook functionality that can be effective in sharing

    Political information (5 highest 1 lowest)

    _____Photo sharing

    _____Video sharing

    _____Notes

    _____Facebook pages

    _____Calendar

    25. How often do you discuss political information on Facebook with others offline?

    1. Often

    2. Rarely

    3. Sometimes

    4. Never

    26. How often do you use Facebook do influence others to follow a given political party or politician?

    1. Often 2. Rarely

    3. Sometimes

    4. Never

    27. Have you ever attended a rally, protest, demonstration or sign a petition after you were invited

    through Facebook?

    1. Yes

    2. No

    28. What do you think are the strengths of Facebook for use in sharing Political information?

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    ______________________

    29. What are its weaknesses?

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    ______________________

    30. Which election(s) did you vote in, if any? (Check all that apply.)

    2000 (Parliamentary)

    2002 (Presidential)

    2005 (Parliamentary)

    2005 (Senatorial)

    2008 (Harmonised)

    2008 (Presidential Run Off)

    2013 Referendum

    2013 Harmonised

    31. Did Facebook play any role in your participation in the elections you voted?1. Yes

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    2. No

    32. If you answered yes to 31 above, please explain what role Facebook played

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    Annex B

    Semi Structured Interview Questions

    1) How often do you use Facebook?

    Probe: The times of day

    Probe: The gadgets used

    2) Since when have you been using Facebook?

    3) How many friends do you have on Facebook? Would you say the number is growing?

    Probe: What type of friends they have

    Probe: What Facebook groups they belong to

    4) How do you use Facebook?

    5) What about your friends, how do they use Facebook6) What are the features of Facebook that are most beneficial to you?

    7) What are the advantages of sharing political information through Facebook

    8) What political issues do you use Facebook for?

    Probe: What do you think constitutes political issues?

    9) How often do you post political contents on Facebook?

    Probe: If this is posted on their wall or on groups they belong to?

    10)What do you do with political content posted by others on Facebook?

    11)Do you use Facebook to organise online protests, petitions or discussion on political issues?

    Probe: How they do this

    Probe: How often they do so.

    12)Why do you use Facebook for posting and discussion political issues?

    13)From your experience, has the use of Facebook been effective for online participation?

    14)How effective has been the use of Facebook for offline participation?

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    Annex C

    Internet coverage Zimbabwe. Source:https://www.econet.co.zw/services/coverage-maps

    https://www.econet.co.zw/services/coverage-mapshttps://www.econet.co.zw/services/coverage-mapshttps://www.econet.co.zw/services/coverage-mapshttps://www.econet.co.zw/services/coverage-maps
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    Annex D

    username

    localdate

    status location

    kwiriray

    i

    7/6/2

    01311:46

    MDC, ZAPU Form Political Alliance http://t.co/X2gZs9Uebp

    #3mobzw #twimbos #zimelections

    Zimbabwe

    zapu 7/6/201313:26

    Stage is set at Stanley Square #zapu #wozekhaya#zimelections http://t.co/NwpyLce9Fq

    Zimbabwe

    Oldschoolvalue1

    7/6/201316:26

    25days to go #zimElections. Make sure you are registered! 263

    Dewamavhinga

    7/6/201316:30

    Victory for #ZANU-PF at the July 31 #ZimElections must notbe less than 90%, - President #Mugabe, 89 #263chat#twimbos

    Cambridge, UnitedKingdom

    zapu 7/6/2

    01319:06

    Iqhude selikubonile ukuthi ukukhala akusizi #zapu

    #zimelections #WozEkhaya http://t.co/axx2ti4E2J

    Zimbabwe

    zapu 7/6/201319:10

    That's the only straw available for them now...drowning lot#zapu #zimelections #WozEkhaya http://t.co/HmEIqnti3O

    Zimbabwe

    ndiMunyahWacho

    7/6/201319:13

    #Zanu has just stepped up the gear, i have received acampaign txt.... 'Viva Zanu kugara musango taneta...'#ZimElections

    Bulawayo,Zimbabwe

    KanhemaPhoto

    7/6/20139:43

    RT @LanceGuma: Power must be addictive. #Mugabe 33years in power and he still wants another 5 years?#ZimElections #ZimbabweDecides

    SanFrancisco,CA

    LanceGuma

    7/6/201317:45

    #Mugabe threatening to pull #Zimbabwe out of SADC showsyou HE thinks the country belongs to HIM. #ZimElections#ZimbabweDecides

    UnitedKingdom

    JayNeale

    7/6/201317:47

    RT @LanceGuma: #Mugabe threatening to pull #Zimbabweout of SADC shows you HE thinks the country belongs toHIM. #ZimElections #ZimbabweDec

    Putney,London

    mynassah

    7/6/20139:49

    RT @LanceGuma: #Mugabe threatening to pull #Zimbabweout of SADC shows you HE thinks the country belongs toHIM. #ZimElections #ZimbabweDec

    Horn ofAfrica

    zapu 7/6/201320:32

    What goes round comes around #zimelectionshttp://t.co/DRj2Cviqe6

    Zimbabwe

    Tings2008

    7/6/201318:35

    RT @LanceGuma: #Mugabe threatening to pull #Zimbabweout of SADC shows you HE thinks the country belongs toHIM. #ZimElections #ZimbabweDec

    Pretoria.SouthAfrica

    ndixman

    7/6/201318:44

    RT @LanceGuma: #Mugabe threatening to pull #Zimbabweout of SADC shows you HE thinks the country belongs toHIM. #ZimElections #ZimbabweDec

    Manchester

    lmakombe

    7/6/201320:59

    we are headed for an exciting cyber war of information andthe opposite #zimelections

    Zimbabwe

    CyberWarID

    7/6/201319:02

    RT @lmakombe: we are headed for an exciting cyber war ofinformation and the opposite #zimelections