Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis

This article explores the influence of memes on political discourse and public opinion during the 2019 Romanian presidential elections. Focusing on memes related to candidates Klaus Iohannis and Viorica Dãncilã, the article highlights the dual role of memes: as entertainment and as tools for framin...

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Main Authors: Andreea Stancea, Iulia Călin, Cecilia Ciocîrlan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), College of Communication and Public Relations, Bucharest 2025-02-01
Series:Romanian Journal of Communications and Public Relations
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journalofcommunication.ro/index.php/journalofcommunication/article/view/593
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author Andreea Stancea
Iulia Călin
Cecilia Ciocîrlan
author_facet Andreea Stancea
Iulia Călin
Cecilia Ciocîrlan
author_sort Andreea Stancea
collection DOAJ
description This article explores the influence of memes on political discourse and public opinion during the 2019 Romanian presidential elections. Focusing on memes related to candidates Klaus Iohannis and Viorica Dãncilã, the article highlights the dual role of memes: as entertainment and as tools for framing political narratives in a biased manner. Employing content analysis, the article offers a view over the types of memes that emerged during the 2019 Romanian presidential elections, emphasizing the representation of the two front-runner candidates: Klaus Iohannis and Viorica Dãncilã. Generally, memes of both candidates were negative in tone with Iohannis more likely to be framed in terms of his funny and humorous situations and Dãncilã in terms of her low intellectual qualities. The article calls for further exploration into the strategic use of memes in politics, aiming to grasp their impact on shaping public perceptions and narratives in the upcoming 2024 elections.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1454-8100
2344-5440
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), College of Communication and Public Relations, Bucharest
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series Romanian Journal of Communications and Public Relations
spelling doaj-art-c1803a77492d4f97962c0fbebd02a8422025-02-02T17:11:46ZengNational University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), College of Communication and Public Relations, BucharestRomanian Journal of Communications and Public Relations1454-81002344-54402025-02-0126210.21018/rjcpr.2024.2.593Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory AnalysisAndreea Stancea0Iulia Călin1Cecilia Ciocîrlan2National University of Political Studies and Public AdministrationNational University of Political Studies and Public AdministrationBucharest University of Economic Studies This article explores the influence of memes on political discourse and public opinion during the 2019 Romanian presidential elections. Focusing on memes related to candidates Klaus Iohannis and Viorica Dãncilã, the article highlights the dual role of memes: as entertainment and as tools for framing political narratives in a biased manner. Employing content analysis, the article offers a view over the types of memes that emerged during the 2019 Romanian presidential elections, emphasizing the representation of the two front-runner candidates: Klaus Iohannis and Viorica Dãncilã. Generally, memes of both candidates were negative in tone with Iohannis more likely to be framed in terms of his funny and humorous situations and Dãncilã in terms of her low intellectual qualities. The article calls for further exploration into the strategic use of memes in politics, aiming to grasp their impact on shaping public perceptions and narratives in the upcoming 2024 elections. https://journalofcommunication.ro/index.php/journalofcommunication/article/view/593memeselectionspolitical communicationpolitical humordisinformation
spellingShingle Andreea Stancea
Iulia Călin
Cecilia Ciocîrlan
Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis
Romanian Journal of Communications and Public Relations
memes
elections
political communication
political humor
disinformation
title Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis
title_full Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis
title_fullStr Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis
title_short Memes and Their Role in the 2019 Romanian Presidential Elections: An Exploratory Analysis
title_sort memes and their role in the 2019 romanian presidential elections an exploratory analysis
topic memes
elections
political communication
political humor
disinformation
url https://journalofcommunication.ro/index.php/journalofcommunication/article/view/593
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AT iuliacalin memesandtheirroleinthe2019romanianpresidentialelectionsanexploratoryanalysis
AT ceciliaciocirlan memesandtheirroleinthe2019romanianpresidentialelectionsanexploratoryanalysis