Memes and Engagement: The Role That Memes Can Play in Providing Engaging Narratives Over Mainstream Media
Rudranshu Sengupta
Rudranshu Sengupta, Department of Digital Filmmaking and VFX, Techno India University, Kolkata (West Bengal), India.
Manuscript received on 27 May 2026 | First Revised Manuscript received on 03 June 2026 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 09 June 2026 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 June 2026 | Manuscript published on 30 June 2026 | PP: 41-48 | Volume-5 Issue-4, June 2026 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijmcj.D117905040626 | DOI: 10.54105/ijmcj.D1179.05040626
Open Access | Editorial and Publishing Policies | Cite | Zenodo | OJS | Indexing and Abstracting
© The Authors. Published by Lattice Science Publication (LSP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The paper aims to understand how memes can create engaging narratives over mainstream media. Memes are playing a major role in the social media strategies of political movements, businesses and sportspeople. While memes may not be considered a viable source of factual information, they can humorously present ideas to an increasingly distracted generation. Thematic (identifying patterns) and semiotic (memes being the sign) analysis are often used to derive meaning. In this paper, the main focus will be on thematic analysis. For the study, eleven memes on various political issues were identified and included in a survey with open-ended questions. The results found varying answers on the different issues, but memes related to taxation policy and national defence (Operation Sindoor) were the most easily identifiable.
Keywords: Memes, Media, Mainstream Media, Themes, Interpretation.
Scope of the Article: Social Media