The  Rise of Cyber Cronies  : Politicizing and Weaponizing the Internet

Frederick Rey; Angela Marie Rey

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.255

Authors

Frederick Rey The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas
Angela Marie Rey Polytechnic University of the Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.255

Keywords:

Blogosphere, cyber cronies, cyber expansionism, cyber warriors, virtual vigilantes

Abstract

Shortly after the Internet platform became stable, the blogosphere was politicized, weaponized, and the cyber cronies were deployed for a war of all against all (Hobbes, 1968).

Specifically, this study investigates first, how information communications technology (ICT) such as the internet and social media have shaped political campaigning. Second, it proposes an assumption relative to the adoption and usage of Internet technology, which is influenced by the distinctive characteristics of different political contexts. The study seeks to address certain knowledge gaps regarding the influence of these technologies on the development of contemporary local campaigns.

Since the impact of Internet technology in the formation of public opinion becomes critical in the entire democratic discourse, it becomes urgent to document the evolving landscape of Philippine political communication.

Through qualitative data, the research provides significant insights into the effects of Internet technology on the dynamics of political campaigning. Twenty- (21) interviews were conducted in the province of Aklan and eight (8) were conducted in the City of Manila. The coded and sorted data assisted the researcher in the composition of the final report through the generation of related themes.

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The Rise of Cyber Cronies

Politicizing and Weaponizing the Internet

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