Communication of Pakistani politicians while in government and opposition and their followers’ reactions in the digital discourse

Abstract

Political communication on X, formally known as Twitter, seems to be proliferating among Pakistani politicians and their followers. Fewer scholarly studies are available that demonstrate discursive practices in the online communication of politicians while in government and opposition. This study has employed an interdisciplinary framework that emanates theoretically from discourse and ethnological studies to analyze the nature of political communication and their followers’ responses within the digital discourse. The longitudinal data was drawn from the constellation of first- and second-generation Pakistani politicians with differing political ideologies. The data also captured how young adults reinforced and perpetuated discursive constructions in their responses to these politicians’ tweets. Findings indicate that power and subversion shape the discursive practices politicians choose to shape public opinion. Although only a fraction of the vast base of followers reacted to the tweets of these politicians, the data depicted an interesting communication trajectory between them in the digital discourse. When the politicians framed their discourse in positive or negative language, their followers reciprocated similar sentiments. Notably, dystopian discourse is most prevalent among young adults that tends to promote derogatory language toward government/establishment. The study emphasizes that politicians should create the content that may foster norms of dutiful citizenship.