2023/12/27 by Giulia Tucci, Tucci, Giulia
Social Sciences · #FOS: Computer and information sciences #H.1.1 #H.5.0 #Social Media and Politics #Social and Information Networks (cs.SI)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2312.16528
openalex publication_date 2023/12/27 · openalex created_date 2023/12/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Unraveling the role of opinion leaders in the digital realm, this study investigates the influence of key actors on Telegram, a hybrid platform that combines messaging app features with social network dynamics, where channel administrators gain a unique authoritative role. This research aims to create a method to identify opinion leaders in a network of forwarded messages on Telegram, adapting a method originally developed to be applied to Twitter. The adapted method is showcased through a case study during the 2022 Brazilian Presidential Election, involving the monitoring of 25 pro-Bolsonaro groups. The findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of digital opinion leadership, particularly in politically charged environments.