Social Media’s Impact on Nigeria’s Politics
TheNewspaperStand
We're a leading distributor of digital replicas of NigeriaNewspapers and Magazines in West Africa. Get Seasoned Updates!
In recent years, social media has emerged as a powerful tool, has revolutionized various aspects of society, like the entaintaiment industry, sport, festival events at large and including politics. Nigeria, with its large population and vibrant democracy, has witnessed the significant impact of social media on its political landscape due to the widespread use of social media platforms.
Nigeria has?32.9 million active social media users, according to Statista. WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are the most widely used platforms among the typical suspects.
Overview Of Social Media
Social media has been a major part of Nigerians' life for the past ten years. The use of social media has helped many find jobs, fall in love, start successful enterprises, and find new chances for their professional and academic development. However, its effect has extended beyond these spheres; social media now significantly influences the nation's political landscape, as proven by the recently held elections.
Social media has the potential to be a catalyst for democracy and a barrier to authoritarianism. It gives political actors forums for regular political communication in the interim between elections, enabling unmediated direct contact between leaders and the populace and reviving the political environment. Its ability to influence and predict voting behaviour is both limited and considerable. Following the global trend, Nigerian politicians are increasingly connecting with their supporters directly using social media for normal political communication.
The 2023 general elections may go down as one of the most well-known events where technology played bizarre roles, aside from the different surveys by real and/or ponzi pollsters that peppered the social media of happenings around the country.
Strangely, not every piece of information shared on social media can be independently verified because anyone can publish there because there are no rules and no one is in charge of policing it, so fake news can spread widely without caution, that why at TheNewspaperStand we believe everyone should have access to accurate and up-to-date information at all times, we Introduce our digital news platform, where we provide reliable news conveniently accessible to you to ensure you stay informed.
The use of social media has plays both a beneficial and detrimental role in politics. Let’s look at some beneficial roles social media play in Nigeria’s politics and its impact it has on politics. This article explores how social media has influenced Nigeria's politics, shaping public discourse, political campaigns, citizen engagement, and the overall democratic process.
Benefits
The speed with which news, poll results, and rumours spread on social media have changed politics in several ways. Online news is a 24/7 phenomenon, unlike the pre-internet era when consumers had to wait for the next newspaper or TV newscast to acquire the most recent information.
Social media has developed this idea. While there are numerous websites and digital online platform where you can receive news at any time, most individuals choose to spend their time on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter rather than serious news or political websites. This implies that every time you log on, you will see the most recent news items and opinions posted by your friends.
2. Target Audience And Demographics
To ensure that advertisements and messages are delivered to the appropriate audience, targeting is employed throughout the advertising sector. Politicians also engage in this. Politicians and candidates for office can now target their campaigns in the era of social media.
Candidates can now modify their statements to speak to the issues of women, college students, seniors, Latinos, or any other category of voters. Candidates and politicians have the same access to analytics and targeted advertising as Facebook advertisers do. Therefore, it is not a coincidence if political messages seem to be speaking directly to you. 3. Direct Contact With Political Figures
Social media gives people the chance to communicate with candidates and elected officials more easily, which is one of its beneficial effects on politics. In the past, you had to go to a live event if you wanted to meet a politician or candidate. Not everyone has this ability. Nowadays, you may participate in live-streaming events and communicate with candidates and politicians by attending virtual events.
4. Effects of Polls
Each campaign's use of political polls is crucial. They are frequently perplexing because several polls with conflicting findings are frequently published on the same day.
We now see a lot more poll results every day thanks to the internet, just like with other political news. This has been accelerated even more by social media. Social media platforms not only post poll results, but you can also take part in Facebook polls.
领英推荐
Election outcomes are greatly influenced by polling data. Even if they have flaws, this is still true. A poll may tend to become true. People may decide there is no use in voting for a candidate if they believe they are well ahead in the election, for instance. There is a lot of pressure on politicians to outperform their rivals when people broadcast the most recent poll findings on social media throughout the day, we can see that through the recent concluded election in 2023. lets look at its harmful effect !
?Detriment Of Social Media In Politics
Every news that circulates on social media, genuine or not, has an impact on political campaigns today. Online, it's becoming more and more challenging to distinguish between real news and fake news. This difference is especially unclear in social media. A blend of fact, fiction, satire, and speculation make up the never-ending stream of memes, links, and rumours regarding political figures and candidates.
There are many phoney or satirical "news" websites today that frequently publish articles that seem real. There are other others now, albeit The Onion is the most well-known. Some fake news websites aren't even funny; they just post tales that will get people to click or harass readers who don't do their investigation. Additionally, some websites have political agendas or promote numerous unfounded conspiracy theories. Even if your friends and followers don't mean to mislead you, it's still possible to be swayed by the false information they publish. Therefore, before accepting anything, one must exercise considerable caution so as not to get swept away by fake news and Joining us in stepping up to stay informed and afloat.
2. Confirmation Bias's Power
Confirmation bias is one of the unspoken factors at play on social media. This is particularly effective when discussing contentious subjects, such as politics. The bulk of your social media friends and followers are likely to share your perspective if you're like most people. This indicates that a significant portion of the tweets, Facebook posts, pins, and other content you read on these websites tend to express the same viewpoint as your own.
People naturally gravitate toward others who share their viewpoints. Both online and offline, this is accurate. This may give the impression that "everybody" feels the same way on social media platforms. The information you receive will be biased if, for instance, 90% of your Twitter friends share your opinions on the majority of political matters. Links to articles that support your preexisting bias will be posted by others. They will reiterate beliefs you already have.
Social media may therefore serve to solidify our beliefs and make it more difficult to consider other viewpoints. People becoming more opinionated and less tolerant of others can be detrimental to politics. On the other hand, you may avoid confirmation bias and utilize social media to broaden your perspective if you make an effort to interact with a variety of people.
3. Online Harassment and Hate Speech:
The anonymity and accessibility of social media can give rise to online harassment and the spread of hate speech directed at politicians, public figures, and individuals with differing political views. This toxic online environment can discourage individuals from participating in political discussions and hinder free and open dialogue. The 2023 elections in Nigeria witnessed incidents of insults, harassment, fights, and hate speech, resulting in tribal conflicts, disparities, tensions, attacks, and division among citizens.
4. Loss of Privacy:
Political figures and individuals involved in politics can face privacy concerns due to the extensive reach of social media. Personal information, private conversations, and sensitive data may become exposed, leading to potential risks such as doxxing, identity theft, or harassment. Instances of hacked accounts or leaked private messages have occurred, exposing confidential discussions between politicians, campaign teams, or political influencers. Such leaks can be damaging, as they reveal behind-the-scenes strategies, compromising trust and potentially leading to political repercussions.
5.Distraction and Shallow Engagement:
Social media's addictive nature and the constant stream of information can contribute to shorter attention spans and superficial engagement with political issues. Users may be more inclined to engage with attention-grabbing headlines, memes, or emotionally charged content, rather than seeking in-depth analysis and understanding. This constant stream of information can overwhelm users, making it challenging to delve deeply into any particular political issue. Users may skim through headlines, forming quick judgments without thoroughly examining the underlying complexities or nuances of the topic at hand. This limited attention span can hinder meaningful discussions, critical thinking, and the development of informed opinions on important political topics.
?Conclusion
Social media's impact on Nigeria's politics cannot be overstated. It has transformed the way citizens engage in political discourse, mobilize for social causes, and hold their leaders accountable. However, with this digital revolution comes the need for responsible usage, critical thinking, and fact-checking to ensure that social media remains a force for positive change. As social media continues to evolve, Nigeria's political landscape must adapt, embracing the opportunities and challenges that arise with this influential medium. By harnessing the power of social media effectively, Nigeria can foster a more participatory, transparent, and inclusive political environment. Join us at TheNewspaperStand to work collaboratively to maximize the benefits while mitigating the risks associated with social media's influence on Nigeria's political sphere.