Theorizing networked counterpublics sanctions

Abstract

Networked counterpublics have emerged on social media, articulating their lived experiences and collectively countering narratives propagated by mainstream publics. However, the voices of minority publics on social media can also be sanctioned by mainstream publics and institutions. Drawing upon the concept of sanctions within counterpublics literature, this study proposes a theoretically based framework that helps us understand the strategies, comprising attack, appropriation, and dismissal, through which discourses, movements, and performances of networked counterpublics are undermined. Each of these discursive strategies is operated by key actors and manifests itself directly and indirectly to undermine minority discourse on social media and beyond. In sum, this article presents a conceptual framework of networked counterpublics sanctions and illustrates how the actors, the direct and indirect manifestations, and the strategies in the contemporary media environment serve as sanctions to networked counterpublics.