Aun students’ awareness of the apc use of the social media in the 2015 nigerian presidential election

Thesis Overview

<p> </p><div><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1.1 Background to the Study</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Meriam-Webster dictionary (2008) defines social media as “forms of electronic communication (as websites for social networking and blogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other contents (as video)”. The same source defines networking as “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions, specifically the cultivation of productive relationships among young adults.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the 21st century, the means of communication has risen to many platforms; technology has created new templates of communication everywhere — from person to person, person to mass media and vice versa. As computer technology increases, the coming of social media has become so popular that it is completely changing the way people view, send, respond to societal issues and, is opening up new ways for people to interact with one another and across the world at large without having to step a foot out of their homes or beyond the shore of their countries (Alysse B. 2010).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;<br>Social media arrival has greatly changed human way of communication. Marshal McLuhan in 1964 predicted that the world would someday become a “global village” where things that happen in some part of the world would be instantly known worldwide. People can stay directly in their homes and get latest events, information and entertainment happening around the world and enjoy full interaction with the world by pressing that single button.</p><p>Individuals, groups, organizations and even political parties are taking advantage of the opportunities which is provided by social media to mobilize millions of people to support and advance their course in many parts of the world today.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In the political sphere the social media have become a veritable tool for mobilizing citizens towards active participation in the political process and democratic projects, hence, the use of social media in politics has experienced a tremendous growth. Since Barack Obama broke the world record in the history of social media use for political purpose during the 2008 US presidential elections, many nations and politicians across the globe have continued to embrace the platform to mobilize their citizens and candidates towards active participation in the political process (Pew Research Center, J&amp;M 2012).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On the African continent, the power of the social media is being felt during political crisis and elections among others. For instance, social media played a significant role during the Arab Spring crisis. The Arab Spring was referred to as Twitter or Facebook Revolution as modern technologies were used for communicating and interacting between participants in political protests. Social media played a central role in spreading awareness and shaping political debates about ongoing events all over the world. According to Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (2012), the 2011 elections in Nigeria witnessed a remarkable use of the social media as a tool for political communication. Personal websites, blogs, and many social media platforms were used for campaigns. Aside from this, the social media was equally used as a weapon to undermine and even destroy the image of other political parties, especially the ruling party at that time, the People‟s Democratic Party, PDP.</p><p></p></div><h3></h3><br> <br><p></p>