Can social media help end the harm? Public information campaigns, online platforms, and paramilitary-style attacks in a deeply divided society

Reilly, P. and Gordon, F. (2023) Can social media help end the harm? Public information campaigns, online platforms, and paramilitary-style attacks in a deeply divided society. European Journal of Communication, 38(1), pp. 3-21. (doi: 10.1177/02673231221101865)

Abstract

Online platforms can help public information campaigns reach target audiences who are unlikely to engage with content distributed via traditional media. This paper adds to this emergent literature, as the first study of the Ending the Harm campaign, which is designed to change public discourse about paramilitary-style attacks in Northern Ireland. Campaign effects were explored through interviews (N  =  7) conducted with key stakeholders, as well as the results of a quantitative survey of residents (N  =  805) in areas most affected by these attacks. Results indicate that exposure to the ETH advertisements correlated with a belief that PSAs were unjustified. Platforms like Snapchat helped the campaign reach younger demographics (16–34 years old). Nevertheless, it was unclear whether self-reported changes in attitude toward PSAs would lead to sustained behavioral changes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reilly, Dr Paul
• Authors: Reilly, P., and Gordon, F.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: European Journal of Communication
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0267-3231
• ISSN (Online): 1460-3705
• Published Online: 24 May 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Communication 38(1): 3-21
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License