Social Media and Indo-Pak Relations: Applying Agenda Setting Theory

Abstract

The present study aims at analyzing the relationship between Pakistan and India in terms of Social Media. In the study, the questions like what is the role of Social Media in shaping the Indo-Pak relations, how Social media is construction the societies in Pakistan and India, and how citizen diplomacy is being practice in Pakistan and India through Social Media, have been answered in the present study. It is basically a qualitative study in which literature has been reviewed in the area of the mainstream media as well as social media with respect to Indo-Pak relationship. The major findings of the study reveal that social media is playing a key role in shaping the Indo-Pak relations. Where mainstream media reflects and exaggerates the issues, social media shows public reaction, which is a great example of citizen diplomacy. This public reaction in return influences the policy makers to take decisions. In a nut shell, the study can be concluded as the Indo-Pak tension and its reflections and reactions on social media are the true examples of negative agenda setting theory.