Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Policy Paper: The Dual Role of Media and Social Media in Democratic Transition: Driving Force or Obstacle?

Authors: Almuhtadi Modawy;

Policy Paper: The Dual Role of Media and Social Media in Democratic Transition: Driving Force or Obstacle?

Abstract

This paper explores the dual role of media and social media in shaping Sudan’s democratic transition following the December 2018 Revolution, by addressing the central question: *How did traditional and digital media influence public opinion toward the Framework Agreement (December 2022 – March 2023), and did they serve as drivers or obstacles to the democratic transition?* The study employs a systematic content analysis of five Sudanese newspapers and a qualitative examination of a sample of influential social media pages. Additionally, it integrates data from an online survey and an in-depth interview with a digital influencer, allowing for both quantitative and qualitative insights into the nature and orientation of media discourse. Findings reveal that media and social media in Sudan have played a contradictory role. While they have expanded the public sphere and mobilized citizens politically, they have simultaneously deepened polarization and eroded public trust in the political process due to misinformation, weak organization, and lack of editorial neutrality. The paper concludes that media reform is a fundamental prerequisite for any successful democratic transition in Sudan. Achieving this requires balancing freedom of expression with social responsibility and enhancing political awareness.

Keywords

Sudan, Governance & Democracy, Governance & Democracy

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average