From Humor to Headlines: The Rise of Memes in Mass Media

Abstract

This research focuses on the transformation of internet memes from humorous, inconsequential postings to vital, social implements of mass communication. It assesses the capacity of memes to serve as the primary means of social and political visual expression which translates into the social and political awareness of the populace and the mobilization of the masses. The research explains the memes’ defiance of mainstream/journalism and their ability to encourage public and participatory discourse through satire and critique. It also expounds on the mass communication and communication ethics of memes which are instrumental to social fragmentation and vertical stratification of society. This study portrays memes as formative to public communication, demonstrates their ability to facilitate critical discourse and alter social and social mentality and consciousness. This study showcases the prominence of memes in the digital public sphere.