The contemporary impact of the spiral of silence: update of the theory in the age of platforms

Abstract

This research proposal lays the groundwork for future research into the opportunities offered to minorities by the supposed democratisation of communication through digital platforms. Specifically, it aims to examine the ability of minorities to disseminate their messages, and under what characteristics or circumstances. As a theoretical framework for the study, one of the most influential communication theories of the 20th century will be considered to see if it is still valid in the new scenario of digital platforms in the 21st century. This is the theory known as the spiral of silence. In order to present the basis of the research proposal, a systematic exploration of the scientific production, or scoping review, on the impact of the theory of the spiral of silence in contemporary research was carried out. In this way, we were able to design the main parameters of a research project for a future doctoral thesis which main object of study will be the effectiveness of digital platforms for the dissemination of minority social messages.