Social Media and Politics: Examining the Kyrgyz President's Instagram Engagement

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of Instagram in political communication through the case study of Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan. The study explores how Japarov uses Instagram posts to engage with his audience, disseminate political messages, and influence public opinion. By employing a mixed-methods approach, which combines qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research evaluates both the content of the posts and the patterns of audience interaction, including likes, comments, and sentiment trends. The research is grounded in theories of discourse analysis and content analysis, which help to unpack the themes, narratives, and visual strategies present in political communication. Special attention is given to how political leaders in Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, utilize social media as a tool for building national identity, promoting government policies, and fostering community engagement.