Use of Social Media as Political Information Source: The Case of Panama Leaks in Pakistan

Authors

Hafiz Muhammad Adil, Lecturer, Deptt of Library & Information Science, Govt. Degree College (B) Bedian Road, LahoreFollow
Khalid Mahmood, Professor, Institute of Information Management, University of the Punjab, LahoreFollow
Hafiz Nazeer Hussain, Lecturer: Department of Library & Information Science, Govt. Postgraduate College, Ravi Road, Shahdara, Lahore
Dr. Shafiq Ur Rehman, Associate Professor, Deanship of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrehman Bin Faisal University

Comments

This research manuscript is based on the thesis of M.Phil. studies of the first author.

Abstract

Background: Social media (SM) have become popular among all genre of people due to its instant and dynamic communication ability. Substantial use of social media as a source of political information raises a concern of researchers to investigate the usage patterns of SM about socio-political issues of the society.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of social media as a source of political information regarding Panama Leaks in Pakistan.

Method: A quantitative research approach based on survey method was used to collect the primary data from a sample of 500 educated adults conveniently available in Lahore city of the Punjab province of Pakistan. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis in SPSS-25.

Findings: The findings revealed that majority of the educated adults used social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter and Wikipedia) on daily basis. The educated adults commonly acquired information to know historical perspectives of Panama Leaks (PL); update themselves with general discussions and opinions; understand political and economic conditions due to PL outbreak; be aware of court proceedings/judgments of PL; and get information for entertainment, education and research.