Detecting astroturf lobbying movements

Bibliographic Data

ID13019751
AuthorsBrieuc Lits (0000-0002-1057-8100, Université Libre de Bruxelles, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume5
Issue3-4
Pages164-177
Publication date2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCommunication and the Public (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2057-0473 • E-ISSN: 2057-0481
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/2057047320969435
OpenAlexW3096494212
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited36

Astroturf lobbying refers to the simulation of grassroots support for or against a public policy. The objective of this tactic is for private interests to pretend they have public support for their cause. However, omitting to disclose the real sponsor of a message renders the communication unauthentic and undermines democratic and pluralist values. This article seeks to develop a method to detect astroturf movements based on emphasis framing analysis. The hypothesis is that astroturf groups employ different frames than genuine grassroots movements to comply with the private interests they truly represent. The results of the case study on the shale gas exploration debate in the United States show that astroturf groups used frames that differed significantly from authentic non-governmental organizations, which allowed their detection

Democracy · Framing (construction · Grassroots · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Engineering · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration · Social Media and Politics

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