Political controversies in network

The use of social media by federal deputies to participate in controversial debates

Abstract

The study aims to analyze how federal deputies of the 56th Legislature (2019-2022) use social media to express controversial opinions and participate in political debates on controversial topics. The study is based on data obtained through an electronic questionnaire. The sample is composed of 155 informants, which corresponds to 30.21% of the total of 513 parliamentary offices. The conclusions show that only 19.6% of the deputies act systematically and continuously in taking a position on controversial issues. Most (80.4%) prefer not to get involved in controversies. In the first case, the main motivation is to make counterpoints with the opponents, while in the second case, caution and fear of negative repercussions for the image of parliamentarians predominate.