A Systematic Literature Review on Twitter and Democratic Engagement in Malaysia

Abstract

This article reviews the role of Twitter in democratic engagement in Malaysia from 2020 to 2024, examining its influence on public discourse, political participation, and the democratic process. This review analyses recent scholarly studies to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges in leveraging Twitter for democratic discourse. Using the PRISMA framework, data were gathered from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. The findings are categorised into three themes: (1) Political Communication and Campaigns, (2) Political Participation and Activism, and (3) Challenges in Democratic Engagement. The results highlight Twitter’s role in shaping political narratives, influencing voter sentiment, and driving strategic campaigns while serving as a platform for information sharing and agenda-setting. However, challenges such as misinformation, trolling, fake accounts and buzzer behaviour hinder its democratic potential. The study underscores the urgency of enhancing digitalliteracy, regulating online behaviour, and promoting ethics to strengthen Malaysia’s democracy. By offering a structured review, this article contributes to understanding Twitter’s role in facilitating democratic engagement in Malaysia and its implications for research and policymaking. It emphasises the importance of tackling challenges while exploring Twitter’s capacity to foster a more informed, inclusive, and participatory political environment.