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College of Information and Communications

Reports from the Social Media Insights Lab

The world takes note of press freedom

UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day on May 3 prompted a global social media conversation on issues of media freedom and journalist safety, according to an analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina.

Will South Carolina be Nikki Haley's last stand?

Haley has emerged from a crowded field of candidates as the lone remaining challenger to former President Donald Trump, who has won the Iowa caucuses as well as the New Hampshire primary. But does she have a chance in her home state?

World Press Freedom Day sparks global conversation

The 30th anniversary of UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day prompted more than 400,000 social media mentions and billions of views worldwide, according to the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina.

Social Media Insights Lab analysis: A lot of people don't believe Alex Murdaugh

As the nation has watched the trial of Alex Murdaugh unfold in Walterboro, S.C., people across the country have taken to social media to share their opinions about the case and its central figures.

Fake news! But what does it mean?

Dan Sultanescu, visiting Fulbright Scholar at the University of South Carolina, shares the result of his research on the evolution of the global conversation on misinformation, disinformation and fake news.

UofSC sorority’s viral video attracts millions of views

A TikTok video created by a UofSC sorority has accumulated 7.9 million views, making it one of the most-watched videos in the popular TikTok genre of #RushTok.

World Press Freedom Day unfolds on social media

UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd was mentioned in social media 273,000 times and seen many times more, according to an analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina in the United States.

UofSC wins a championship — and a lot of attention

Social media posts about the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team’s national championship have been seen more than 500 million times, according to a new analysis by the university’s Social Media Insights Lab.

South Carolina tourism is growing. Here's why.

The recovery of the South Carolina tourism industry from the impact of the coronavirus is the result, in large part, of the popularity of its beaches and destinations like Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, according to a new analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina.

Coronavirus conversations - revealing a world of difference

A new analysis of Coronavirus conversations by the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina shows significant differences between attitudes in the Arab world compared to Europe and the United States. The lab studied more than 870 million posts spanning 19 months.

World Press Freedom Day ignites social media conversations

Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world stopped what they were doing this week to reflect on the importance of media freedom.

Social media comments boost Harrison as election day nears

Jaime Harrison continues to enjoy an advantage on social media as his race against Sen. Lindsey Graham enters its final days. According to the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina, Harrison leads Graham in positive sentiment among almost 57,000 social media posts made in South Carolina since Oct. 1.

Social media sentiment favors Cunningham in Congressional race

U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham enjoys more positive social media sentiment and also has less negative sentiment than his Republican challenger, state Rep. Nancy Mace, according to a new analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab at the University of South Carolina.

Insights lab analyzes perception and social media reactions of the final presidential debate

Students and staff analyzed perception and social media reactions to President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden in the final presidential debate.

Graham faces criticism while support for Harrison grows

Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison has a commanding lead in social media support over Sen. Lindsey Graham just two weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election, as Graham combats negative perception and conversations about Harrison grow.

Social media comments applaud Harrison's debate performance

In a Senate race the Cook Political Report says is a toss up, the Democratic candidate is seeing a significant uptick in support on social media, according to a new analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

Graham's about-face ignites social media

Sen. Lindsey Graham's change of heart about considering a nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court in the same year as a presidential election is kicking up controversy on social media.

Social media sounds off on Lindsey Graham

As polls show the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Lindsey Graham and Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison may be tighter than many expected, comments on social media suggest Graham is facing a significant negative backlash in his home state while positive buzz about his challenger is growing.

South Carolina responds to Biden's VP choice

Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate has South Carolinians talking. The Social Media Insights Lab reviewed more than 17,000 posts about Harris made since the announcement late Tuesday afternoon.

College football conversations light up social media

South Carolina's passion for college football is reflected on social media. Thousands of people are looking forward to a fall season but questioning what it will look like during a global pandemic.

Social media users are skeptical about the McMaster plan

Gov. Henry McMaster’s latest steps to reopen South Carolina are being met with skepticism on social media. An analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab found more than twice as many people had negative comments about the governor’s plan than supported it.

Social media posts push back against face-to-face classes in the fall

Gov. Henry McMaster's request that South Carolina schools reopen this fall in the midst of the coronavirus for daily, in-person classes is receiving a chilly reception on social media.

Social media users question whether reopening schools is a good idea

Social media users in South Carolina and across the nation are expressing concerns about the possibility of reopening K-12 schools in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

South Carolina and the coronavirus: a national conversation

As coronavirus cases increase in South Carolina, so too are social media conversations nationwide about the Palmetto State and its growing problem with COVID-19.

“Trumptilla” surges nationally on social media despite COVID-19

Social media conversations about the big boat parade on Lake Murray in support of President Trump are trending nationally with little criticism of the event being held during the coronavirus.

Social media users pledge to wear face masks

Campaigns to encourage South Carolinians to wear face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus are receiving a small but positive response, according to an analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

South Carolina is talking about celebrating July Fourth, not staying at home

South Carolina social media conversations about the July Fourth holiday are focused more on fireworks and celebrations than staying at home to protect against the coronavirus, according to an analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab.

The coronavirus is hurting Myrtle Beach's image

As the July Fourth weekend approaches and South Carolina authorities are urging people to stay at home to protect against the spread of the coronavirus, Myrtle Beach is the subject of negative social media conversations across the country.

What social media commenters expect from government

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster's statement that a statewide rule requiring face masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus would be unenforceable is drawing criticism on social media.

The jury is out on social media about opening schools in the fall

The likelihood South Carolina public schools will not return to in-person education in the fall has been a relatively small and neutral topic of social media conversations in the state.

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