How to Cite:
Rika Suryaningsih, "Memes as Ideological Texts: A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Political Semiotics in Digital Cultures" International Journal of Humanities Science Innovations and Management Studies, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 5-12, 2025.

Abstract:
This paper explores internet memes as ideological texts through the lens of multimodal discourse analysis, emphasizing their role in shaping and reflecting political beliefs within digital cultures. Memes function as potent semiotic tools that condense complex political ideas into shareable, humorous, and often subversive content. The study investigates how visual and textual elements of memes combine to construct political meanings, reinforce ideologies, and mobilize online publics. Drawing on semiotic theory, critical discourse analysis, and digital ethnography, the paper examines case studies of politically charged memes from diverse sociopolitical contexts. It reveals how memes serve as both participatory media and mechanisms of ideological reproduction, highlighting their dual capacity to resist and reinforce hegemonic narratives. Ultimately, the paper argues that memes are more than trivial entertainment; they are dynamic ideological artifacts that actively contribute to political discourse in the digital age.

Keywords: Memes, Ideology, Multimodal Discourse Analysis, Political Communication, Semiotics, Digital Culture, Critical Discourse Analysis, Participatory Media, Visual Rhetoric, Online Political Expression.

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