Politics via SMS: Message sent? Dimitra Dimitrakopoulou Instructor at the Department of Public Relations and Communication, Technological Educational Institute of Western Macedonia PhD Candidate, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Focus of the paper The aim of this present paper is to examine the use of SMS (Short Message System) as a new form of political communication. The aim of this present paper is to examine the use of SMS (Short Message System) as a new form of political communication. We present the empirical research that we have conducted in order to examine the new form of political communication via mobile text messaging in the Greek political scene. We present the empirical research that we have conducted in order to examine the new form of political communication via mobile text messaging in the Greek political scene. We have focused particularly on the pre-election campaign of the Greek parliamentary elections of 7th March We have focused particularly on the pre-election campaign of the Greek parliamentary elections of 7th March 2004.

Which elements of political communication do mobile text messaging incorporate? Non verbal, written form of political communication Non verbal, written form of political communication Include political content Include political content Aim to influence the electorate Aim to influence the electorate Are an intentional production and transmission of messages which is achieved regardless of spatial and temporal boundaries Are an intentional production and transmission of messages which is achieved regardless of spatial and temporal boundaries The revolutionary feature of SMS which all new ICTs share, is the transcendence of any intermediaries (in this case, journalists) which act as carriers of political messages in traditional media The revolutionary feature of SMS which all new ICTs share, is the transcendence of any intermediaries (in this case, journalists) which act as carriers of political messages in traditional media ICTs offer a unique opportunity to politicians to communicate with their electorate directly without the need of journalists ICTs offer a unique opportunity to politicians to communicate with their electorate directly without the need of journalists

“The next social revolution” in “the third age of political communication” Rheingold studies the phenomenon of “smart mobs” as the next social revolution. Rheingold studies the phenomenon of “smart mobs” as the next social revolution. For Rheingold, “mobile communications and pervasive computing technologies, together with social contracts that were never possible before, are already beginning to change the way people meet, mate, work, fight, buy, sell, govern and create. Some of these changes are beneficial and empowering, and some amplify the capabilities of people whose intentions are malignant” For Rheingold, “mobile communications and pervasive computing technologies, together with social contracts that were never possible before, are already beginning to change the way people meet, mate, work, fight, buy, sell, govern and create. Some of these changes are beneficial and empowering, and some amplify the capabilities of people whose intentions are malignant” Blumler and Kavanagh: the third age of political communication is characterized by “more cyber politics”. Blumler and Kavanagh: the third age of political communication is characterized by “more cyber politics”. Cyber politics will evolve into three directions: a.) it could become a campaign medium in its own right, not necessarily displacing but supplementing more traditional ones, b.) it could become an important vehicle of interest group solidification and mobilization within and across national boundaries and c.) it could diversify the exposure to political communication of those regular users who enjoy exploring the access to a wider range of views and perspectives that the Internet affords. Cyber politics will evolve into three directions: a.) it could become a campaign medium in its own right, not necessarily displacing but supplementing more traditional ones, b.) it could become an important vehicle of interest group solidification and mobilization within and across national boundaries and c.) it could diversify the exposure to political communication of those regular users who enjoy exploring the access to a wider range of views and perspectives that the Internet affords.

OWNERSHIP OF MOBILE PHONE, Do you own a mobile phone? years old Total sample Source: VPRC, (last accessed 2/2/2005)

IMPORTANCE OF MOBILE PHONE, How important is the mobile phone for you personally? Very Quite LittleNot at all Source: VPRC, (last accessed 2/2/2005)

Empirical research Research questions: How do politicians use/exploit this new communication medium? How do politicians use/exploit this new communication medium? How does mobile text messaging affect the communication between political candidates and voters? How does mobile text messaging affect the communication between political candidates and voters? Is text messaging a way of empowerment of the citizen as far as his/her information and political involvement are concerned? (from the politicians’ point of view) Is text messaging a way of empowerment of the citizen as far as his/her information and political involvement are concerned? (from the politicians’ point of view) What is the importance of communication via SMS in comparison to communication with other media? What is the importance of communication via SMS in comparison to communication with other media?

Hypotheses to be tested Politicians use SMS as a way to communicate with the electorate as far as procedural and informational only issues are concerned. Politicians use SMS as a way to communicate with the electorate as far as procedural and informational only issues are concerned. SMS constrain to a large extent the communication between politicians and citizens. SMS constrain to a large extent the communication between politicians and citizens. Traditional media still count as more important for politicians. Traditional media still count as more important for politicians.

Methodology Our field work was conducted during 8-22 February Our field work was conducted during 8-22 February We used a structured questionnaire with 11 close-ended questions. The questionnaire was sent all 300 Members of the Greek Parliament via . We used a structured questionnaire with 11 close-ended questions. The questionnaire was sent all 300 Members of the Greek Parliament via completed questionnaires were returned, which amount to 22% of our total sample. 66 completed questionnaires were returned, which amount to 22% of our total sample.

Conclusions Politicians who use SMS as a new form of political communication limit it to sending messages for procedural purposes (information and invitations for speeches and public meetings) and wishes. Politicians who use SMS as a new form of political communication limit it to sending messages for procedural purposes (information and invitations for speeches and public meetings) and wishes. Mobile text messaging is considered a subsidiary form of political communication, which is obvious in the respondents’ answers in the questions of empowerment and importance of communication via SMS. Mobile text messaging is considered a subsidiary form of political communication, which is obvious in the respondents’ answers in the questions of empowerment and importance of communication via SMS. Traditional media, with the television standing at the top of the hierarchy, still count as more important for politicians. New ICTs (Internet, , SMS) come second in their preferences, which can partially be attributed to the low penetration and use of the new media in Greece. Traditional media, with the television standing at the top of the hierarchy, still count as more important for politicians. New ICTs (Internet, , SMS) come second in their preferences, which can partially be attributed to the low penetration and use of the new media in Greece. The respondents do not seem to identify the sending of SMS as spamming or unwanted communication. However, this last issue is extremely important and needs definitely more elaboration and in depth research in order to clarify the vague issue of the citizens’ protection from unwanted communication. The respondents do not seem to identify the sending of SMS as spamming or unwanted communication. However, this last issue is extremely important and needs definitely more elaboration and in depth research in order to clarify the vague issue of the citizens’ protection from unwanted communication.

Thank you for your attention! Dimitra Dimitrakopoulou