Project Code: STATE-USA-EUR-37
| Project Title | Track Extreme Right- and Left-wing Political Use of Social Media in Belgium |
|---|---|
| Project Summary | Help us promote human rights, respect for diversity and freedom of speech, and prevent racism and extremism by helping us understand how extreme left- and right-wing political parties are using social media in Belgium. |
| Country | Belgium |
| Agency | Department of State |
| DoS Office | EUR/WE |
| Post | N/A |
| Section | N/A |
| Number of Interns | 1 |
We desire a social media-savvy volunteer to track the activities of left- and right-wing Belgian political parties on social media. As the adage says, the pen is mightier than the sword. If we want to get ahead of divisive and even racist sentiments spreading on social media, we need to understand what they are, who is authoring them, and who is listening. What are extreme politicians saying to their constituents online? What ads are they placing? How much are these messages being forwarded or amplified? Are there specific themes in what they are saying? How do their tactics compare to their rivals? How much are they spending? Deft oversight of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (and any other current social media platforms we are not cool enough to know about) will help us better understand the tactics and intentions of this growing segment of the Belgian political scene. The outcome will be monthly reports and, if you like making them, fancy charts. Dutch language skills preferred. French might also be helpful. Skill with spreadsheets (Excel) and or database programs to collect and analyze data required.
| Skill(s) |
|---|
| Data analysis |
| Political Analysis |
| Research |
| Social media management |
| Writing |
None