Research on social media use in the Murray-Darling Basin

Description

Researchers believe social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook could be the best tools for Murray-Darling farmers to communicate with government and other agencies.

Assistant professor in management Dr Matthias Muskat, one of the chief investigators on the project, says the use of new communication technologies could help the government better inform the community of their plans and for the community to share in the information.

“We think that by identifying the factors that have become barriers to the communication between these groups, such as power relationships, a more fluid and effective communication can emerge,” he says.

The project, which involves collaboration from researchers at the University of Canberra and James Cook University, will investigate drivers and obstacles for using social media between those involved in water reform and rural communities.