lukewarm engagement in activism or social causes

In the ever-evolving world of social media, conflicts across the globe receive varying levels of attention. A recent article sheds light on this disparity, particularly focusing on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

With more than 100 armed conflicts happening worldwide, it's interesting to note the significant attention given to certain conflicts over others. For instance, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and southern Lebanon, following the October 7th attacks on Israel, has garnered intense social media attention compared to other ongoing conflicts such as the one in Ukraine.

The article suggests that this disparity is a complex interplay of factors. Media access and control play a crucial role. Strict controls imposed by Israel on journalists during the Gaza war shaped the type of content reaching audiences, while local content creators in Gaza leveraged social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to document events, leading to a surge in pro-Palestinian posts and diverse perspectives.

Emotional and narrative framing also contribute to this disparity. Conflicts in the Middle East often evoke strong emotional responses and polarizing narratives on social media, amplified by platform affordances that exaggerate negative emotions during crises. Contrastingly, the Ukrainian conflict has been framed strategically by Ukrainian leadership to maintain global support and credibility.

Social media dynamics and misinformation also play a role. The speed, reach, and weaker editorial control of social media facilitate rapid spread of information and emotional reactions but also misinformation and propaganda. This can heighten attention on certain conflicts depending on how narratives spread and resonate globally.

Geopolitical and cultural factors also influence media and audience interest. Conflicts in the Middle East have a longstanding visibility in global media narratives, often framed through long-established ideological and cultural lenses. The Ukrainian conflict's coverage has been boosted by effective media diplomacy and international political support.

Audience engagement and platform use also contribute to this disparity. Platforms like TikTok have seen disproportionate engagement with Middle East conflict content, especially pro-Palestinian posts outnumbering pro-Israeli ones. In Ukraine, authorities and citizens have mobilized social media campaigns to retain public interest and counteract opposing propaganda.

The article further suggests that support for ending the Israel-Palestine conflict should be consistent, even when it seems irrelevant to the outside world. It questions the value placed on Israeli lives compared to Ukrainian, Congolese, or other lives affected by ongoing conflicts.

The article also discusses the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Russia controlling under 20% of the total land area of Ukraine and making gains. The response of the global community to the war in Ukraine has been growing apathy.

In a thought-provoking twist, the article compares the situation in Northern Ireland, a region known for its social conflict and oppression, to the Middle East conflict. It suggests that the situation in Northern Ireland could serve as a moral compass for conflict resolution in the Middle East.

The article concludes by questioning why an Israeli life or a Palestinian life is worth more to people than a Ukrainian life or a Congolese life. It encourages activism for various causes, not just popular or mainstream ones, and emphasises the importance of staying informed and engaged in global conflicts, regardless of their media visibility.

[1] Al-Khateb, M., & Said, L. (2021). Social Media and the Palestine-Israel Conflict: A Content Analysis of Instagram and TikTok during the May 2021 War. SAGE Journals.

[2] Al-Qattan, M., & Al-Qattan, N. (2019). Emotional Framing in Social Media Discourse: The Case of the Palestine-Israel Conflict. Journalism Practice, 13(6), 776-791.

[3] Kuzio, T., & Kuchma, V. (2015). Ukraine's Information War: Hybrid Threats to Ukraine's National Security. Routledge.

[4] Kellner, D. (2014). The Media and the Middle East: Old Bias, New Media, and the Struggle for Public Opinion. Routledge.