Research Information System
SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, vol.18, no.1, pp.55-71, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
This study sought to investigate the role of the X platform (formerly Twitter) in shaping the perceptions of political events among a sample of university professors in Jordan specializing in social sciences. Given the increasing dependence on digital platforms (particularly online social networks) for political information, these tools fulfil a crucial role in shaping the “mental image” of political events among educated and influential audiences. Based on the Media System Dependency Theory, the study explores the cognitive, affective, and behavioural impacts of using the X platform. Based on previous literature, a structured questionnaire was constructed with validation by academic experts for both semantic and relevance. Using a complete census, we distributed the questionnaire to all professors of social sciences at Jordanian universities across the three main regions: South, Central, and North. Of the 144 responses, 140 questionnaires, screened positive for completeness, were included in this analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 employing descriptive statistics to explore respondents’ demographic characteristics and usage patterns of the X platform. The results suggest that the platform is an integral aspect of political perceptions, with its interactive digital characteristics having a profound impact on respondents’ cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to political content. The findings demonstrate the X platform as a direct tool for spreading political news and shaping public opinion, especially among the Jordanian academic elite. These results also fill a gap in the literature regarding the effect of social media on academic elites in Jordan and provide useful insights for researchers and policymakers regarding the digital role in political participation.