Populism, populist conspiracies, and Kenyan politics: investigating the role of the media
| Author(s) | Kipkoech, Gilbert | |
| Date Accessioned | 2024-09-23T14:42:31Z | |
| Date Available | 2024-09-23T14:42:31Z | |
| Publication Date | 2024 | |
| SWORD Update | 2024-09-01T13:02:04Z | |
| Abstract | This dissertation sought to map and dissect how communication and/or the media resonates with populism and populist rhetoric. Specifically, this project examined Kenyan media’s receptivity to populist rhetoric, diffusion of populism in public debates through the opinion sections, and media framing of populism. Moreover, the dissertation explored the impact of populist communication strategies—the use of populist conspiracies—on Kenyan citizens. ☐ The dissertation presents results from a content analysis and a survey experiment indicating that the Kenyan print media supply the “oxygen of publicity” to populist sentiments, albeit not prominently. The results further show that the opinion pages—serving as an essential part of public deliberation and a mediated site of the public sphere—are replete with populist sentiments. Additionally, the public positively frames populism while journalists discredit populist rhetoric. Lastly, populist content laced with conspiratorial cues does not significantly impact trust in institutions and intentions to engage in political activities. The dissertation—despite its limitations—provides an understanding of how Kenyan media and populism intersect and the potential effects of exposure to populist messaging. | |
| Advisor | Hoffman, Lindsay | |
| Degree | Ph.D. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Communication | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.58088/pqy3-gf48 | |
| Unique Identifier | 1458541718 | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/35049 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | |
| URI | https://www.proquest.com/pqdtlocal1006271/dissertations-theses/populism-populist-conspiracies-kenyan-politics/docview/3100360202/sem-2?accountid=10457 | |
| Keywords | Content analysis | |
| Keywords | Experiment | |
| Keywords | Kenyan media | |
| Keywords | Populism | |
| Keywords | Populist conspiracies | |
| Title | Populism, populist conspiracies, and Kenyan politics: investigating the role of the media | |
| Type | Thesis |