The role of social media in the political participation of overseas Filipino workers in Dubai, U.A.E. in the 2016 election

Abstract

Seventy-four active members of the Philippine Institute cf Civil Engineers (PIGE) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates were surveyed to détermine the rôle of social média in their political participation in the 2016 élection.

Based on the Agenda Setting Theory, this study provided a descriptive analysis of how the respondents utilized social média particularly Facebook. Four rôles were identified: (1) Connecter- it connected the OFWs back home, (2) Catalyzer- it served as a channel for the respondents to express and discuss their political views, (3) Mediator- it aiso enabled two-way communication between the OFWs and différent parties, and (4) Information provider- it played a rôle in getting information about the processes and mechanics of Overseas Absentee Voting.