parliament ( V03 , l . 37 ) or to blocking his attempts to make a change ( V03 , ll . 48-49 ).
The last category contains all the data , factual knowledge that was being presented in the videos . It is noteworthy that several examples of car models ( V01 , l . 41 ) or concrete figures of expenses ( V03 ; ll . 42-44 ) or statistical data on border crossings from Ukraine to different countries ( V02 , ll . 58-59 ) are used . The listing of individual , selected data thus reinforces the core of each statement or gives it the appearance of being highly relevant . In addition , it is emphasised that only the facts speak here ( V02 , l . 54 ) and that an objective truth is being expressed ( V02 , l . 62 ) which stands for itself and conversely cannot be doubted . At some point the data are contextualised and explained ( V02 , ll . 60-61 ; V02 , ll . 62-64 ) in order to underline the key points . It should be noted that the sources of the figures and facts presented are not given in case one wished to verify them .
After considering the classifying alternative media , attempting to better understand Tik Tok and conducting an exemplary content analysis of the selected videos , the questions posed at the beginning can be answered . Therefore , in a first step , the results of the content analysis will be resumed in regard to the upcoming elections in some East German federal states in September as one research interest related to the key messages that young TikTok users might take away from these videos .
Looking at the content of the videos analysed here , it is possible to get the impression that a lot is going wrong in migration policy and that the government is failing to treat foreigners equally . In general , one can perceive a high level of political deficiencies mainly caused by migrants or by the parties in power . On a personal level , the author presents himself as a person who initiates a change in the current status quo by listing future actions . When expressing his emotions , this could help to reduce the distance between the audience and the author himself . As a consequence , one could feel sympathy for him . It is also possible to place oneself as a user in one of the groups , probably in the group of those who fight for an improvement of the political and social situation and work against the presented inequalities , the in-group . The astonishing amount of othering can be understood as a main strategy . The opposing groups are either ‘ us ’ and ‘ migrants ’ or ‘ us ’ and ‘ other political parties ’. There is a clearly articulated division . The othering is well-fuelled by the data presentation section . Figures and other data are used to give more weight to the words . They may also stick in the mind as a surprising fact to be taken further .
In terms of content , Ulrich Siegmund ’ s TikTok account can be categorized as part of the alternative media landscape as it criticizes mainstream media and aims to fill in missing information and perspectives on current issues . By speaking directly to the TikTok audience a specific target group is created , which is asked to form an opinion and after all , to take action together against the deficiencies described . This could mean that a group that is not ( yet ) politically in power , seeks to claim power in order to overcome not only migrant groups , but also ruling
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