Analysis of the Twitter Interactions during the Impeachment of Brazilian President

Author(s)

de Franca, Fabricio Olivetti ; Goya, Denise Hideko ; de Camargo Penteado, Claudio Luis ; Bui, TX

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 51ST ANNUAL HAWAII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SYSTEM SCIENCES (HICSS); v. N/A, p. 8-pg., 2018-01-01.

Abstract

The impeachment process that took place in Brazil on April, 2016, generated a large amount of posts on Internet Social Networks. These posts came from ordinary people, journalists, traditional and independent media, politicians and supporters. Interactions among users, by sharing news or opinions, can show the dynamics of communication inter and intra groups. This paper proposes a method for social networks interactions analysis by using motifs, frequent interactions patterns in network. This method is then applied to analyze data extracted from Twitter during the voting for the impeachment of the Brazilian president. Results of this analysis highlight the behavior of some users by retweeting each other to increase the importance of their opinion or to reach visibility. In addition, interaction patterns reveal that messages from one group (against/in favor of impeachment) rarely propagate to the opposing group. As such, this brings evidence that Social Networks may not stimulate a debate, but reaffirm users' beliefs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/50250-9 - The role of social media in comparative elections: Turkey and Brazil
• Grantee: Claudio Luis de Camargo Penteado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants