Public Policy: Who Creates the Narrative? An Analysis of Competing Networks and Narratives in the Sudanese Digital Space

تتناول الورقة تحليل بنية وتفاعل شبكات التواصل الاجتماعي حول الصراع في السودان، بالتركيز على منصتي إكس وتيكتوك, وذلك لفهم كيفية صناعة السرديات الملازمة لحرب الجارية في السودان ومن هم الفاعلين الأساسيين في صناعتها.

By using social network analysis, the research identifies the main patterns of interaction, highlighting the roles of influencers and hashtags as engines for rival narratives among different groups. Essentially, the study maps out how stories of the conflict gain traction online by building network diagrams that bring together both influencers and hashtags from these platforms. Data analysis and programming tools were used to track connections, pinpoint central actors, and measure how much coordination goes into unified hashtags or signs of coordinated, inauthentic behavior.

This paper examines how social networks have shaped and influenced narratives during the ongoing war in Sudan, with a focus on the platforms X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. The study aims to identify the key players in creating and spreading these narratives.

The study recommends close monitoring of online patterns to spot coordinated campaigns and digital misinformation, especially during conflicts. It also highlights the importance of getting information from varied sources and encouraging critical thinking among users.