Uma análise de vídeos do YouTube compartilhados em grupos públicos e politicamente orientados do WhatsApp e Telegram

Abstract

With the advance of smartphone usage in Brazil in recent years, instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have become integrated into the daily communication of Brazilians. However, the use of these tools is not limited to the exchange of messages between two users; they also serve as a platform for group discussions, content dissemination, and as a source of information. During the covid-19 pandemic, where people had to undergo a routine of social isolation, the global usage of these platforms increased by 40%, allowing for contact with family, sharing news, as well as establishing a new routine of work and/or studies. Some studies have addressed the content of messages sent on these applications during this critical pandemic scenario and the role in spreading information, based on criteria such as the quality of information and types of shared media from other platforms. However, to date, there have been few studies regarding the YouTube videos shared and how this content relates to messaging platforms. This study investigates YouTube videos shared by public political groups on WhatsApp and Telegram during the covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. Specifically, this work analyzes the information conveyed by political groups regarding the pandemic and key events that occurred during the same period, highlighting the main differences between the platforms. Our investigation shows a relevant political bias in the content shared in public groups in Brazil, with predominantly right-wing content on messaging apps. We also found a significant overlap of popular videos among these platforms. On YouTube, we identified the main categories of videos and examined the narrative that these videos provide from the perspective of WhatsApp and Telegram users. Therefore, our results reveal that messaging platforms are a showcase for many videos shared on YouTube, but, in general, do not increase the popularity of these videos. Additionally, we found that the topics in focus are widely discussed in the groups created on applications, especially the political aspects involved in the treatment of the pandemic, regardless of biases, since many videos are shared among different groups on the same platform. We hope that these results can be useful in strengthening public debate about the quality of information that is shared on these platforms, bringing visibility to measures to contain disinformation, content with conspiracy theories, and information that no longer exists.