To each their own: dynamics in the digital public sphere during an electoral campaign. The case of Costa Rica 2022

Abstract

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the narratives from traditional media, presidential candidates, and the citizenry within the digital public sphere during the 2022 presidential elections in Costa Rica. The agendas of both media and candidates were examined through their Facebook publications, while the citizen's agenda was studied via content circulating in WhatsApp groups. Although the major campaign issues were present across the agendas of media, candidates, and citizens, dialogue was largely absent. Instead, unidirectional communication prevailed, and a significant presence of confirmation bias was observed within WhatsApp groups. The findings confirm a landscape of profound fragmentation within the digital information environment during the electoral process. This poses a significant challenge to the health of the public sphere, as it limits the possibility of informed and pluralistic debate, which is essential for the functioning of a robust democracy.