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A computational analysis of Telegram's narrative affordances
1Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Plos One
|November 14, 2023
Summary
This study reveals that Telegram channels create diverse narrative profiles, challenging traditional storytelling. Different channel themes, like conspiracy or crypto, correlate with distinct narrative styles, showing how platform features shape online narratives.
Area of Science:
- Computational Social Science
- Digital Communication
- Narrative Studies
Background:
- Public messaging channels on Telegram facilitate one-way communication.
- Understanding narrative construction within these platforms is crucial for digital communication research.
- Existing research lacks empirical analysis of narrative profiles on Telegram.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate the narrative profiles of public Telegram channels.
- To test if Telegram channels exhibit diverse narrative profiles linked to platform feature usage.
- To determine if thematic networks of channels show distinct narrative profile tendencies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2,724,187 messages from 492 public Telegram channels across five thematic networks.
- Development of a computational method to classify messages based on narrative continuity.
- Assessment of narrative profiles by evaluating message fit within surrounding content.
Main Results:
- Telegram channels afford several distinct storytelling profiles, often defying traditional narrative coherence.
- Channels related to conspiracy theories and far-right counterculture show a preference for disparate narrative profiles.
- Cryptocurrency channels favor coherent profiles, while disinformation channels about the Ukraine war exhibit mixed types.
Conclusions:
- Platform features on Telegram enable users to construct and shape online narratives in diverse ways.
- Thematic orientation significantly influences the narrative profiles adopted by Telegram channels.
- Findings contribute to theorizing the interplay between platform affordances and online narrative construction.
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