Double tap democracy
Political authenticity in the TikTok era
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5904043 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Susan Grantham (0000-0003-1255-1590, Griffith University, corresponding author), Lara Cervi (0000-0002-0376-0609, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Manolo Iachizzi (0009-0008-1040-5219, Griffith University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publication date | 2025-03-19 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Media International Australia (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1329-878X • E-ISSN: 2200-467X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/1329878x251327232 |
| OpenAlex | W4408612583 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 42 |
This study explores how political leaders use TikTok to construct and communicate political authenticity through strategies of immediacy, consistency and ordinariness. Through a combined qualitative and quantitative method, we take a case study approach and analyse 380 videos by the political leaders in Queensland, Australia. Immediacy, the most prominent authenticity type, demonstrates high engagement, reflecting the platform's demand for real-time interaction. The concept of ambivalent ordinariness, where politicians blend personal and political personas, emerges as a significant strategy. This is exemplified by videos showing personal activities like cooking, which humanise the political image. However, the study also acknowledges the paradox of performative politics, where strategic efforts to appear genuine may undermine perceived authenticity. The research contributes to understanding how social media platforms like TikTok can effectively contribute to political engagement, offering insights into the interplay between digital media strategies and authentic political communication
Democracy · Media studies · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Asian Culture and Media Studies · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Social Media and Politics
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| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 7 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |