Enforcing law through government use of social media

• Published in: Journal of comparative research in anthropology and sociology Vol. 15; no. 1/2024; pp. 137 - 155
• Main Author: Gavrilov, Doina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bucharest University of Bucharest, Department of Sociology, Doctoral School of Sociology 07.07.2024
• Subjects: Behavior; Behavior modification; Communication; Dissemination; Globalization; Governance; Law; Law enforcement; Mass media; Social media; Social networks; Social norms; Socialization; Society; Sympathy; Technological change; Transparency; User generated content
• ISSN: 2068-0317; 2068-0317
• DOI: 10.62229/cmp1_24/7

Globalization and technological development create challenges for the communication and dissemination of law, which is essential for modifying behavior to suit evolving societal demands. Starting from a mixed theoretical approach, this study explores law socialization via social media, focusing on the Romanian situation. It examines how legislative and governance institutions spread the law and negotiate legal meanings in the new socialization space. The results indicate a slow institutional adaptation to new communication methods and a lack of social media strategies. Institutions use social media mainly to account for transparency and acquire public sympathy rather than to accomplish functional objectives.