Digital Communication and Citizen Participation in Local Governance: San Martín de Porres (Peru)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21416275Keywords:
Digital Communication, Citizen Participation, Local Governance, Media Education, Municipalities.Abstract
This study examines the role of digital communication in citizen participation processes specifically linked to local governance. The analysis is based on a case study conducted in a municipality of Lima, San Martín de Porres, covering the period from 2023 to 2026. From a qualitative and interpretive perspective, the research sought to understand how digital content, communication platforms, and message exchanges shape the forms of interaction established between citizens and local government. These thematic and strategic dimensions are currently embedded within governance agendas promoted at the regional level, such as those advanced by CEPAL (2024). Regarding the methodological design, the combination of content analysis of institutional messages and semi-structured interviews with key actors made it possible to examine communicative practices from the participants’ experiences and perceptions. The findings indicate that, although digital communication represents a relevant channel for informing and mobilizing citizens, its current use reveals significant limitations. These constraints are mainly related to low levels of interaction, weak institutional feedback, and limited adaptation of content to users’ expectations and digital competencies. Taken together, these results highlight that when digital communication is conceived primarily as a one-way process, it does not necessarily processes and the construction of active citizenship. contribute to the effective strengthening of citizen participation, nor does it foster higher levels of institutional trust. In this regard, the study provides empirical evidence supporting the need to rethink existing digital communication strategies from a more participatory and context-sensitive perspective, linking local governance with media education.
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