Mr. Denisenko discussed the direct public-political communication occurring in Lithuania and whether it is effective. In Lithuania, it is popular for individuals to complain about societal issues on social networks and to tag a politician in their posts, showing the belief that a politician can directly solve the individuals issue. Mr. Denisenko discussed this trend in bringing citizens and elected officials closer through social media.

1. Tag a Problem! Direct Political Communication in
Social Networks
Viktor Denisenko, PhD
Vilnius University, Faculty of Communication
Co-founder of inBaltic

2. To tag, or not to tag?

3. Personal experience

4. Communication or imitation?

5. Opportunities and Threats

6. Aspects of communication
Positive:
●
To improve political discussion
●
To express dissatisfaction (of
some political decisions)
●
To ask for help
●
To provide some (political)
offers
Negative:
●
For trolling

7. Opportunities
●
Direct political communication
without mediators
●
Two ways communication
●
The possibility of faster
decision (if it is possible)
●
Politician feels the obligation
to answer because the
request is “public”

8. Threats
●
To many requests
●
Wrong addressee for the
request
●
Not for difficult or deep
political discussion
●
Request not for the
decision but for trolling

9. Conditions for communication
Andrius Shuminas, PhD: The
efficiency of [political] communication
[in social networks] depended on the
level of development of society.
Lithuanian society, on the one hand,
already is civil society but sometimes,
on the other hand, Lithuanians
communication in social networks
reminds a kind of bullying and trolling.

10. Kind of evidences
Tagging of politicians in the social network for direct political reaction could be
useful if:
●
Other (your friends, friends of a politician) saw the request
●
The topic of the request belongs to the area of responsibility of a politician
●
It is a constructive communication
The factors of unsuccessful communication: bullying, trolling, hate speech
etc.

12. Tnank you for attention!
viktor.denisenko@yahoo.com
www.viktordenisenko.eu
inBaltic
www.facebook.com/inTheBaltic
www.playbuzz.com/inbaltic10