CAUSES AND EFFECT OF TWITTER BAN ON NIGERIA CITIZENS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Of The Study
In virtual communities and networks, people produce, share, and/or exchange information and ideas using social media, which has long been recognized as a way of human interaction. New digital social networks that allow for the rapid and effortless sharing of news, information, and ideas have been developed as a result of the increasing use of social media platforms. As a result, it appears that the adoption of such technologies has the potential to alter current social structures and relationships (Zhang, W., Johnson, T.J., Seltzer, T. & Bichard, S. 2010).
With a large section of the world’s population having access to it, the internet has grown to be the most important technological revolution of the twentieth century. The effective, affordable, and convenient use of these technologies to facilitate communication between individuals via social media sites like Twitter has become extremely significant in today’s culture (Manning, J. 2014). According to Sajindra, K., and Patil, R. (2013), networked digital technologies are thereby changing mass public communications in a number of ways, permitting not only new types of social disintegration and hostility but also deliberation, debate, and other types of social engagement (of which Twitter is a typical example). Twitter promotes discussion and public involvement in a range of human-interest themes as a result. As a result, Twitter’s unlimited interactive nature has given the public several opportunities to engage in discussions about a range of environmental issues (an example in Nigeria) (Sajindra et al (2013). More specifically, business owners and cooperative groups have promoted their services on Twitter. The importance and advantages of Twitter cannot be overstated. It has given small and medium-sized businesses a platform for connecting with clients and niche markets, ultimately promoting business growth. Hence, it is evident that Nigerians are using Twitter for acceptable objectives, most notably to express opinions and exercise their right to free speech on societal and political concerns, among other things.
Despite Twitter’s essential functions, countries like Turkey, Turkmenistan, the UK, North Korea, Iran, China, and most recently, Nigeria, have proclaimed and maintained the platform’s suspension. Undoubtedly, the sudden and extraordinary move to suspend Twitter in Nigeria will have a significant influence on the nation (politically, economically and in other wise). On the other hand, the focus of this study is on the reasons for and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigerian nationals.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
The Nigerian government shut down Twitter’s operations in the nation after President Muhammadu Buhari’s account was suspended for violating the social media company’s “abusive” conduct guidelines. After threatening to punish local secessionists accused of damaging government facilities, Buhari’s account was stopped for 12 hours (Aljezeer news report). Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, however, announced the suspension of Twitter in a statement delivered in Abuja on Friday, June 5, 2021, citing the platform’s persistent use for actions capable of damaging Nigeria’s corporate existence (Aljezeera.com).
Hence, this irrational decision has a significant influence on Nigerian society as well as sending the wrong message to international investors. Small businesses in Nigeria that depend on Twitter for a living would also be negatively impacted. According to Sesan, businesses in Nigeria use digital media to communicate with various stakeholders, expose their brands, and draw in customers. This prohibition has constrained the country’s inhabitants because the majority of social media users in Nigeria are familiar with using Twitter to share important, urgent, and business-related information. Also, they utilize Twitter to voice their ideas and engage in social and political discussions. In Emmanuel Alumona’s interview with Aljezeera, “Twitter is like my neighborhood paper. But, it’s too difficult to abide Twitter’s ban because most Nigerians, including myself, may no longer be kept up to date on social events. I refresh my timeline to see what’s happening in the country and people’s perspectives “. Against this backdrop, this study tries to determine the reasons behind and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigerians.
1.3 Objectives Of The Study
The major target of this study is to identify the causes and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigeria’s citizens. Below are the specific objectives of this study.
- Identify the major causes of the Twitter ban in Nigeria.
- Identify the negative effect of the Twitter ban on Nigeria’s citizens.
- Identify if the Twitter ban has had any effect on the social interaction of Nigeria’s citizens.
1.4 Research Hypothesis
An hypothesis refers to an experimental statement, tentative in nature, showing the relationship between two or more variables. It is open to testing and can be accepted or rejected depending on whether it agrees or disagrees with the statistical test.
The study will test the validity of the following hypothesis:
H01: The Twitter ban has had no negative effect on Nigeria’s citizens.
H02: Twitter ban has no effect on social interaction of Nigeria citizens.
1.5 Significance Of The Study
This study will thoroughly expose the unintended consequences of the erratic decision to ban Twitter use in Nigeria. Given this, the study will also inform/apprise the Nigerian government on the risks associated with the country’s indefinite ban of Twitter and on the significance of paying attention to the opinions of their residents. This study would be especially helpful to Nigerian firms who use Twitter to connect with their clients because it would not be regarded complete without presenting workable answers. Last but not least, this research will be a useful resource for students, researchers, academicians, and the general public in terms of pertinent information.
1.6 Scope Of The Study
This study focuses on the causes and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigerian citizens with the specific aims of identifying the key factors that led to the Twitter ban in Nigeria, identifying the detrimental effects of the Twitter ban on Nigerian citizens, and figuring out whether the Twitter ban has any impact on Nigerian citizens’ social interactions. As a result, this study will only sample public opinion and will only include residents of Asaba Delta State.
1.7 Limitation Of The Study
Financial restraint: Lack of resources can make it difficult for researchers to find relevant sources of information or literature or to gather data effectively (internet, questionnaire, and interview).
Time restraint: The researcher will do this investigation together with other academic activities at the same time. The time needed for study will be cut down as a result.
1.8 Definition Of Terms
Social media, broadly speaking, refers to all new media technologies that enable interactive sharing of content on websites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Youtube, and Blogs.
Twitter
Users submit and engage with messages known as “tweets” on the American microblogging and social networking site Twitter.
Ban.
A legal or informal banning of anything is known as a ban. Bans are created to forbid activity inside a particular political territory.
REFERENCE
How Nigeria’s Twitter ban may affect people and businesses, according to Ajazeera New: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/6/7/nigerian-twitter-ban-how-government-restriction-affects-people.
Nigerians on Twitter respond to Nigeria’s suspension on Twitter, according to Ajazeera New: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/4/nigerian-twitter-users-blast-govt-ban-of-social-media-giant
J. Manning (2014). The definition and categories of social media. K. Harvey (Ed.).
Patil, R., Sajindra, K. (2013). Social Media: Its Origins and Main Elements. Business and Management Journal.
Johnson, T.J., Seltzer, T., and Bichard, S. Zhang, W. (2010). The Impact of Social Networking Sites on Political Views and Behavior: The Revolution Will Be Networked. Review of Social Science Computer. Published by SAGE.
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