College of Information and Communications

2020 Reports

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.

Mask ordinances trigger debate

Columbia and Greenville mask ordinances are receiving support in South Carolina social media conversations, according to a new report from the Social Media Insights Lab.

Coronavirus concerns increasing in South Carolina

As the number of coronavirus cases reported this month in South Carolina has steadily increased, so too have social media conversations about COVID-19.

Trump rally raises concerns in South Carolina

President Trump's weekend campaign rally in Tulsa has been a major topic in South Carolina social media conversations.

Masks divide South Carolinians in fight against the coronavirus

The expectation South Carolinians will wear face masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus is a divisive one on social media, according to the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

New COVID-19 cases drive S.C. conversations

An increasing number of coronavirus cases is the driving force behind recent social media conversations about COVID-19 in South Carolina, according to a new analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

S.C. social media users support wearing masks

Almost 65 percent of South Carolina social media conversations support wearing masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus, according to an analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

Many South Carolinians sympathize with Black Lives Matter protests

South Carolinians on Twitter expressed far more comments in support of Black Lives Matter protests than criticism of the violence that has accompanied some of them, according to the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

UofSC Insights Index: How do South Carolinians feel about reopening? It's complicated

South Carolinians are still making up their minds about whether it is time to reopen the state during the coronavirus, according to a new analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

From Twitter: #Modley

Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly has resigned and an analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab helps explain why it had become untenable for him to stay in the position.

From Twitter: #Sadness

The Social Media Insights Lab analyzed COVID-19 buzz and found that President Trump’s announcement that more than 200,000 Americans may die from the coronavirus has had a sobering effect on social media conversations in South Carolina.

From Twitter: #ReopenAmerica

The Insights Lab looked at mentions of #ReopenAmerica, #StayHome and phrases like "back to work" and "open for business." See what we discovered about the social media conversations.

UofSC Insights Index: Social media posts reflect range of emotions

Americans are going to social media in massive numbers to talk about the coronavirus and their comments reflect a spectrum of emotions, ranging from fear, anxiety and sadness to more positive comments about the courage of health care workers on the frontlines.

UofSC Insights Index: Pandemic conversations growing

South Carolinians are talking on social media about the coronavirus in large numbers and those conversations reflect an increasingly serious tone.

UofSC Insights Index: Growing concern about the coronavirus

Social media conversations in South Carolina reflect a growing concern about the cost and availability of tests for the coronavirus.

Insights Index: Can buzz be bought? Where Bloomberg, Steyer and the other candidates stand in South Carolina

Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer are spending a lot of money ahead of the Feb. 29 primary, but a new analysis by the Social Media Insights Lab shows that neither of them are being discussed very often on social media in the Palmetto State.

UofSC Insights Index: Buttigieg inching closer to Biden

Mayor Pete Buttigieg has emerged in South Carolina social media conversations as the most significant threat to Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden, according to a new analysis by the University of South Carolina Social Media Insights Lab.

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