How Interest Groups in the European Union Utilize Twitter

This paper explores the intricate dynamics of interest group engagement within the digital sphere, specifically on Twitter, within the context of the European Union. With the increasing digitization of political discourse, this study delves into the strategies of interest groups operating in the EU, focusing on their utilization of Twitter as a platform for advocacy and other purposes. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset of interest groups registered within the EU Transparency register, our approach combines quantitative analysis of tweet volumes with machine learning classification to discern the content of interest groups on Twitter. By analysing patterns of usage and discourse strategies, our study aims unravel the evolving nature of interest group participation in the EU's digital public sphere. Moreover, it helps sheds light on variation in both the volume and usage of Twitter between different types of stakeholders. The findings contribute to our understanding of the (uneven) role played by Twitter in the activities of different types of advocates and have implications for understanding the role of interest groups in public discourse in the virtual realm and EU policymaking.