Новите „пазачи на портата“ – дигиталните активисти в защита на демокрацията чрез хумор в социалните медии
The New Gatekeepers – Digital Activists in Defence of Democracy Through Humour in Social Media

Author(s): Daniel Nenchev
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Media studies, Communication studies
Published by: Факултет по журналистика и масова комуникация, Софийски университет „Св. Кл. Охридски”
Keywords: digital activism; political satire; social media; influencers; democracy; gatekeepers; mediamorphosis; civil society
Summary/Abstract: Amid eroding trust in traditional media and political instability, democratic societies face disinformation and low media literacy. This study analyzes the role of digital activists and inÀuencers as new „gatekeepers“ who employ humor and satire to defend democratic values and civic emancipation. Using qualitative content analysis and a theoretical review of mediamorphosis and convergence, the article examines case studies of popular Bulgarian content creators (Stefan Popov-Chefo, Mimi Shishkova, Elena Telbis). The analysis demonstrates that political satire in video formats successfully bypasses institutional ¿lters, informing, educating, and mobilizing civil society through infotainment. The text argues that in the digital age, humor is not merely entertainment but a critical tool for civic resistance, community building, and defending freedom of speech.

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