Social media and politics in Nigeria: A conceptual framework

Abstract

This paper examines side by side social media and politics and the relationship between the two. Also worthy of examination in the article was social media and election and social media and democracy. This is because elections and democracy exist in a political space or environment, hence the relationship. The place of social media to rally political support is no longer in doubt. To advance the conversation and mobilize political supports, social media has become a critical political tool for campaign planners. The term social media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Politicians create several social media accounts and handle in other to reach the electorates and to have a more direct contact with them, something the traditional media didn’t provide. Some of these social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. The use of social media in elections appears to be gathering momentum that is altering the traditional practice of electioneering. This phenomenon is premised on the rapidly expanding access to internet, increased availability of internet ready smart phones and other communication devices, which enable individuals to simultaneously share information with any number of peers or even the public. Politicians have swerved from the use of the old media such as the print (newspapers) and the electronic media (television and radio), to the use of the new media during electioneering to actualize their political goals. In a modern democracy, social media can be used by governments to involve citizens in decision making, and make civil society to engage people in specific issues. Social media has transformed political communication in a number of ways, like segmentation of audience, weakening gate keeping capacity of traditional media, releasing most recent news and influences socio-economic and political settings. The study is anchored on two theories: the technological determinism theory and the uses and gratification theory. Social media has great impact on the voting pattern of the electorates, especially youths who constitute the largest proportion of social media users in Nigeria. We therefore, recommend that Nigeria’s political leaders and future aspirants should desist from using the social media to spread false stories, hate speeches, caricature figures etc. on other candidates that will destroy their public image. Rather, they should portray what they have to offer to the masses.