This article explored how the National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters used Facebook to conduct their campaigns in the 2020 election. I argue that the NLD supporters used Facebook to excite people’s sentiment to support the NLD and to resent the Union the Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by the Myanmar military Tatmadaw. I employ securitization to examine the issue. The theory of securitization shapes the NLD supporters as a securitizing actor and people in Myanmar as audience. Through Facebook, the NLD supporters securitized political development in Myanmar, which was handled by the military junta for over 30 years, triggering the USDP supporters’ pushback. I examined the data on Facebook throughout the election campaign period from September to November 2020. I used Facebook's own CrowdTangle system to collect the digital data and conducted online interviews to collect first-hand data. This research found that the NLD supporters’ digital modus operandi created an echo chamber, making constructive conversations between different political supporters strenuous and political polarization intensified.

Authors:
Khin Nway Nway Hlaing, Chiang Mai University, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
I'm Khin Nway Nway Hlaing, currently serving as a Consultant Analyst for the Myanmar Internet Project. My professional interests revolve around content moderation, analyzing social media trends, and actively contributing to research and advocacy effo

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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