نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

• محمودرضا رهبرقاضی ¹
• رضا محموداوغلی ²

¹ دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی-گروه علوم سیاسی

² دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی. گروه علوم سیاسی

چکیده

احساس برابری جنسیتی توسط شهروندان از آن جهت دارای اهمیت است که باعث ایجاد ادراکی از عدالت اجتماعی، کاهش نابرابری‌ و ترویج ‌مردم‌سالاری توسط شهروندان شده و فضای اجتماعی-سیاسی کشور را برای توسعه فراهم می‌کند. محققان معتقدند که عوامل مختلفی می‌توانند بر روی این پدیده تاثیرگذار باشند. در این راستا، به نظر می‌رسد یکی از پدیده‌‌هایی که بر روی برابری جنسیتی تاثیرگذار است، رسانه‌های آنلاین می‌باشد. هدف این پژوهش آزمون تاثیرات مستقیم و غیرمستقیم رسانه‌های آنلاین بر روی برابری جنسیتی از طریق ارزش‌های فرهنگی صدای مردم و حق انتخاب، با استفاده از داده‌های موج هفتم پیمایش ارزش‌های جهانی‌ برای کشور ایران که شامل 1499 نفر حجم نمونه می‌باشد، است. نتایج این پژوهش که با استفاده از مدل‌سازی معادلات ساختاری و روش حداقل مربعات جزئی و با استفاده از نرم‌افزار اسمارت پی.ال.اس صورت گرفته است، نشان می‌دهد که اولا رسانه‌های آنلاین به طور مستقیم بر روی تمایل شهروندان به برابری جنسیتی، تاثیر مثبت و معنی‌داری داشتند. دوم اینکه، نتایج حاکی از آن است که رسانه‌های آنلاین به طور غیرمستقیم و از طریق ارزش‌های فرهنگی صدای مردم و حق انتخاب، می‌توانند باعث افزایش تمایل شهروندان به برابری جنسیتی شوند. بنابراین نتایج نشان می‌دهد که مدل نظری پژوهش از طریق داده‌های تجربی مورد تایید و پشتیبانی قرار می‌گیرد.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• رسانه‌های آنلاین
• صدای مردم
• حق انتخاب
• برابری جنسیتی

موضوعات

• علوم سیاسی

عنوان مقاله [English]

The power of online media: the role of strengthening voices and choice in gender equality

نویسندگان [English]

• mahmoudreza rahbarqazi ¹
• reza mahmoudoghli ²

¹ University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

² University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

چکیده [English]

The power of online media: the role of strengthening voices and choice in gender equality





1. Introduction

The study of Iran's online media is of significant importance, as these media have a profound impact on the awareness and critical thinking surrounding gender issues. By examining online media, individuals can gain a more profound analysis and a wider range of perspectives on gender issues, as well as a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to gender equality. Moreover, studying online media allows for the identification of emerging trends and developments in the field of gender equality in Iran. By introducing projects and activities related to this field, it is possible to facilitate the promotion of this topic in society. Therefore, the study of online media in Iran is of great importance for a more comprehensive understanding of gender issues, the raising of awareness, and a more nuanced understanding of gender equality. It is therefore essential to give this issue special attention. In this regard, the goals of this research are:

1. The objective of this study is to analyze the direct and indirect effects of online media on citizens' attitudes towards gender equality.

Specifically, the study will:

1. Analyze the direct effects of online media on citizens' attitudes towards gender equality.

2. Analyze the indirect effects of online media on citizens' attitudes towards gender equality through the value of the right to choose.

3. Analyze the indirect effects of online media on citizens' attitudes towards gender equality through the value of people's voices.



2. Theoretical Background

A number of consistent theories have been proposed regarding the impact of online media on people's attitudes towards women's rights and, in particular, gender equality. One of the theories regarding the impact of online media on the women's rights movement is the theory of cyber feminism. This theory posits that online media is a potent instrument for amplifying the visibility and participation of women in public spheres. Online activities afford women the opportunity to access information, express their opinions, and communicate with one another, thereby facilitating the development and strengthening of women's rights (Mohanty & Samantaray, 2017). The second theory in this field is the theory of network feminism, which posits that online media facilitate the emergence of novel forms of activism based on women's rights (Fotopoulou & Fotopoulou, 2016). This theory posits that online media platforms and blogs associated with the women's rights movement facilitate communication among supporters across geographic boundaries, thereby accelerating the spread and impact of activism. The third theory in this field is the theory of Feminist consciousness-raising 2.0. This theory posits that online media can be a platform for increasing awareness of women's rights and promoting empowerment in the new digital context (Anderson & Grace, 2015). Modern feminism represents the fourth theory to analyze the influence of online media on people's gender beliefs, values, and attitudes. This theory posits that online media can play an important role in shaping or changing gender beliefs and human motivations. It seems that online media, in addition to direct effects, also affects women's rights indirectly by strengthening the voices of marginalized groups. In this regard, the theory of Intersectionality 2.0 in online media emphasizes the importance of creating diverse and inclusive spaces for the discourse and activism of different social groups (Crooks, 2016). Furthermore, online media can influence the values of gender equality by expanding the right to choose for women. In this context, theorists of network individualism posit that online media can serve as advocates for women's rights by expanding individuals' right to choose through increased access to information, diversity of views, and the empowerment of individual institutions (Rainie & Wellman, 2019).



3. Methodology

In order to test the research theories, the seventh wave of the World Values Survey data (Haerpfer et al., 2022) has been employed. The seventh wave of data for Iran, which was collected between 2017 and 2022, includes 1,499 Iranian citizens. Of these, 74% were urban residents and 26% were rural residents. Additionally, 51% of respondents were male and 49% were female, with an average age of 39.5. Additionally, in order to analyze the information and data, the partial least squares method and SmartPLS software were employed in this research.



4. Research Findings

Table 2 presents a summary of the results of the structural part of the research and explains the direct and indirect effects of online media variables. The results indicate that the value of t in all structural relationships is greater than 1.96, thereby demonstrating the significance of these relationships. In other words, the use of online media can directly and significantly increase citizens' desire for gender equality in society. In other words, the findings demonstrate that online media exerts an indirect and significant influence on the desire for gender equality in society, through both the variables of voice and the choice.



5. Conclusion

As previously stated, the objective of this research was to assess the direct and indirect impacts of online media on the desire of Iranian citizens for gender equality. In this regard, the research results indicated that online media exerted a direct and significant positive effect on gender equality, leading to an increase in such tendencies among Iranian citizens. In the contemporary era, online media play a pivotal role in the dissemination of information and values within society. Given that the majority of Iranian youth rely on online media for information and content, the influence of these media on citizens' desire for gender equality is considerable. Consequently, online media can at times enhance public awareness and comprehension of this matter by furnishing content that espouses gender equality. For instance, the dissemination of articles, videos, interviews, and reports pertaining to the matter of gender equality can enhance the attention and sensibility of citizens with regard to this issue. Moreover, advertisements and social advertisements that reference the values of gender equality can alter the desires and attitudes of citizens. In light of the fact that online media are regarded as one of the most powerful information and advertising tools, it can be argued that they play an important role in increasing citizens' desire for gender equality. This role is not limited to increasing awareness and attention to gender issues; it can also help to realize gender equality and societal progress by changing cultural and social attitudes.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• gender equality
• Online media
• people'؛ s voice
• choice