Political Communication and Digital Participation in Arequipa, Peru: Social Media Consumption and Media Credibility

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between social media use for political information, digital citizen participation, and media credibility in Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city. The sample consisted of 4,769 adults residing in urban areas of four provinces. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design with a correlational-explanatory scope was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered in person between November and December 2024. The analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4.0. The main findings are: (1) the use of social media for political information is positively associated with digital citizen participation (β = 0.614, p < 0.001); (2) the use of social media is negatively associated with media credibility (β = -0.312, p < 0.001); (3) digital citizen participation is negatively associated with media credibility (β = -0.418, p < 0.001); (4) digital citizen participation partially mediates the relationship between social media use and media credibility (VAF = 45.2%); (5) age moderates platform preference, with young users adopting TikTok and Instagram more intensely; and (6) socioeconomic status moderates the relationship between social media use and media credibility, being more negative in lower socioeconomic strata. Facebook dominates with 75.1% among social media and 42% among all information sources, while 66% of respondents report a negative image of journalists. The results show changes in information consumption patterns, with digital platforms replacing traditional media and eroding media credibility.