Networks as an agent of social fermentation: Is it possible?

Abstract

This paper proposes a discussion about the political experience mediated by social media online from the Newspapers of June 2013 in Brazil. It works with the hypothesis that the demonstrations triggered during this period indicate the emergency of a new political experience, especially for a crowd encouraged by relations established in social networks on the internet. One of the main consequences of this new policy would be the shift in the importance of the traditional media. In order to analyze this scenario as an empirical research, the text observes the action of the Movement Free Pass, a social non-profit organization, and of TV Globo, the TV station with the largest audience in the area of events, according to IBOPE. Indeed, we observe the strengthening of the bargaining power of social movements, notably due to the spread of their causes and struggles, especially due to the exponential growth of their convening power. Ultimately, it is likely that a mutation of meanings, a shift in forms of communication, and, as a result, in the ways of doing politics, are ongoing.

Keywords: social networks, social movements, technology, internet, politics.