Policing injustice in the digital age: analyzing police representation in social media activism

Abstract In the digital age, understanding the representation of law enforcement on social media is essential, particularly in the context of widespread activism. This study examines the portrayal of police in social media groups advocating against perceived injustices, with a specific focus on the case of Roman Zadorov’s alleged wrongful conviction in Israel. Analyzing 480 posts over seven years, the study reveals a consistently negative depiction of the police, lacking positive references. The portrayal encompasses five main categories: depicting police as unprofessional, particularly in Zadorov’s case; generalizing police as unprofessional; portraying police as corrupt, both in Zadorov’s case and broadly; and viewing police as part of a collaborative network of institutional bodies in the Zadorov case. This research explores the representation of law enforcement in the digital era, highlighting the predominantly negative portrayal within influential social media groups during social justice movements.