From the parliamentary watchdog to the digital watchdog: parliamentary oversight through parliamentary questions in the social media era

What the paper says

Purpose The primary objective of this research is to investigate agenda-setting theory in relation to social media. The assessment was carried out through an analysis of the sources of parliamentary questions raised during Knesset sessions (Israel's parliament). The research investigates whether members of parliament (MKs) utilize parliamentary questions as a mechanism for parliamentary oversight. Design/methodology/approach The research employed semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 parliament members who engaged substantially in parliamentary question-related activities. Findings The findings highlight a decline in the significance of traditional parliamentary questions as a means of influencing the public agenda. It also emphasizes the growing effectiveness of social media platforms as quasi-query tools and agenda-setting mechanisms. Practical implications The emergence of social networking technology has expanded the impact of voters and political activists who directly advance issues to parliament members and bypass conventional gatekeeping structures. Social implications This research highlights how social media's visibility and accessibility have shifted agenda-setting power from traditional media elites to broader public platforms. Originality/value The current study focuses on influential MKs who actively shape the public agenda, and explores how they use social media to bypass traditional channels and influence public discourse, highlighting the role of technology in shaping societal narratives.