What is an online political advert? An interrogation of conceptual challenges in the formation of digital policy response
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21837545 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Katharine Dommett (0000-0003-0624-6610, University of Sheffield, corresponding author), Junyan Zhu (0000-0002-2869-824X, University of Nottingham) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 713-730 |
| Publication date | 2023-12-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Policy & Internet (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1944-2866 • E-ISSN: 1944-2866 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/poi3.350 |
| OpenAlex | W4385402353 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 40 |
Despite British and European policymakers' quest to regulate online political advertising, it is not clear what exactly constitutes an online political advert. As with many areas of digital governance, it is therefore necessary to impose definitional criteria, yet the process of doing so is by no means straightforward. Using qualitative interviews, we set out to clarify alternative routes for definition by distilling policymakers' understanding of what it means for a piece of content to be an “advert,” “online,” and “political.” Presenting a series of decision trees that trace policymakers' ideas, we reveal different traits that could be used to create a definition. In addition, we use our interviews to offer insight into the policymaking approach needed when defining complex and contested digital phenomena. Given the array of possible definitional approaches, we argue that policymakers will find it valuable to adopt an argumentative and communicative approach if efforts to gain consensus are to succeed. This article accordingly provides a practical tool for future attempts to define online political advertising, and casts light on the strategies policymakers may use when seeking to define and regulate complex digital phenomena
Argumentative · Business · Corporate governance · Interrogation · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Computer Science · E-Government and Public Services · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Social Media and Politics
The Argumentative Turn Revisited
Online Political Microtargeting
If Advertising Won't Die, What Will It Be? Toward a Working Definition of Advertising
The small effects of political advertising are small regardless of context, message, sender, or receiver
Modern political analysis
Redefining advertising in research and practice
Oracles on “Advertising”
Blurring Boundaries
A review of political advertising online during the 2019 European Elections and establishing future regulatory requirements in Ireland
Understanding the “Micro” in Political Micro-Targeting
Political Manipulation and Internet Advertising Infrastructure
The Influence of Goals and Timing
Commercial Companies in Party Networks
In varietate concordia?! Political parties’ digital political marketing in the 2019 European Parliament election campaign
Divided by a Common Language
The Stealth Media? Groups and Targets behind Divisive Issue Campaigns on Facebook
Do Online Ads Influence Vote Choice
What does “Political” Mean to You
Mobilizing or Chasing Voters on Facebook? Analysing Echo-Chamber Effects at the UK Parliamentary General Election 2019
A Transparent Digital Election Campaign? The Insights and Significance of Political Advertising Archives for Debates on Electoral Regulation
The Personalization of Politics
The Online Advertising Industry
| Citations per year | 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2025 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |