#fukushima Five Years On: A Multimethod Analysis of Twitter on the Anniversary of the Nuclear Disaster

Authors

  • Anna Rantasila University of Tampere
  • Anu Sirola University of Tampere
  • Arto Kekkonen University of Tampere
  • Katja Valaskivi University of Tampere
  • Risto Kunelius University of Tampere

Keywords:

multimethod, Twitter, hybrid media, social network analysis, critical discourse analysis, Fukushima Daiichi

Abstract

This article examines how the fifth anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was commemorated on English-speaking Twitter in March 2016. By combining social network analysis and critical discourse analysis, a research design is developed that can be applied to study the structure of actors and interpretative resources invoked in the crafting of communal remembrance of a disruptive, global media event. In the study, we explore the most visible actors and the most dominant meanings in the #fukushima stream. According to our analysis, the most significant players were the mainstream media and other established organizations. While most of the retweeted messages contained a ritual element of collective memory work, grief, and observance, another prominent feature was the strongly politicized discourse surrounding the aftermath of the disaster.

Author Biographies

Anna Rantasila, University of Tampere

Junior research fellow, PhD student.Tel. +358 50 3187 371

Anu Sirola, University of Tampere

Junior research fellow

Arto Kekkonen, University of Tampere

Junior research fellow

Katja Valaskivi, University of Tampere

Research director, Docent

Risto Kunelius, University of Tampere

Professor

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Published

2018-02-14

Issue

Vol. 12 (2018)

Section

Articles

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