Use of Social Media for Political Communication among University Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

The use of social media for political thought and expression has given the study of political communication a new dimension. We endeavored to discover in social media which political topics students found more interesting in conversation. In addition, this study combines communication theories such as uses and gratification and to analyze political interest in social media and the formation of political opinion. Specifically, we attempted to compare the extent of political communication participation based on gender and academic education. A survey reveals that male students are more involved in political communication than female students. And final year students are more engaged in political communication via social media than their first, second, and third-year counterparts. Using the quantitative method of data collection and program language R to analyze them, this study also explores students’ expression of political opinions through social media has a relationship to their political needs. The results here show that freedom of expression given in our constitution if exercised properly, students will be able to engage in political communication.