Causes And Effect Of Twitter Ban On Nigeria Citizens

The focus of this study is to identify the causes and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigeria"s citizens using Asaba metropolis in Delta state as case study. The study Identified the major causes of the Twitter ban in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study.Well structured questionnaire was issued to the participant which provided answers to the research questions. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Twitter Users in Asaba Metropolis of Delta State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS V.23). Findings from the study revealed that the cause of twitter ban as opined from the minister of information is as result of using Twitter as media for promoting secessionist interest as well as the assumed fake news spread on the platform. Findings from the study also revealed that the current twitter ban ban has affected Nigeria citizen in several ways: ranging from disrupting social interaction, businesses impacted, brands loosing their online customers, shrinking of the civic space, breach on the fundamental human right and much more effect. The study therefore recommends that the federal government of Nigeria should endeavour to go back to their drawing board and make necessary amendments to the ban on Twitter usage in Nigeria. Finally, the federal government of Nigeria should recognize that the ban on Twitter is affecting different spheres of the economy. They should adhere to the terms and rules of ECOWAS and revoke the ban since the ban is a bridge of the fundamental rights of the citizen.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Social media has long been recognized as a mode of human connection in which people produce, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. The growing popularity of social media platforms has resulted in the creation of new digital social networks in which people can engage and share information, news, and ideas at an unparalleled rate and ease. As a result, the adoption of such technologies appears to have the potential to modify contemporary social configurations and relations (Zhang, W., Johnson, T.J., Seltzer, T. & Bichard, S. 2010).

The internet has become the most significant technological revolution of the twentieth century, with a sizable portion of the world"s population having access to it. The employment of these technologies in the efficient, cost-effective, and convenient exchange of key information and opinions among people through online media platforms such as Twitter has become so important in today"s society (Manning, J. 2014). Thus, networked digital technologies, according to Sajindra, K., and Patil, R. (2013), are transforming mass public communications in a variety of ways, facilitating not only new forms of antagonism and social fragmentation, but also deliberation, debate, civil participation, and other forms of social interaction (of which Twitter is a typical example).

As a result, Twitter encourages dialogue and public participation in a variety of human-interest topics. Thus, the unrestricted participatory character of Twitter has provided several chances for the public to engage in dialogues about a variety of environmental issues (an experience in Nigeria) (Sajindra et al (2013). More specifically, company owners and cooperative organizations have used Twitter to market their services. Twitter"s significance and benefits cannot be emphasized. It has provided as a platform for reaching out to clients and targeted audiences, consequently fostering business growth for small and medium-sized firms. As a result, it is clear that Nigerian citizens are using Twitter for purposes that are acceptable for them, most notably to voice ideas and exercise free speech on societal and political issues, among other things. Regardless of Twitter"s vital services, nations such as Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom, North Korea, Iran, China, and, most recently, Nigeria have proclaimed and sustained the platform"s suspension. The unprecedented and dramatic decision to suspend Twitter in Nigeria will undoubtedly have a wide-ranging impact on the country (politically, economically and in other wise). This study, on the other hand, focuses on the causes and consequences of the Twitter ban on Nigerian citizens.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Following the suspension of President Muhammadu Buhari"s account for breaking the social media company"s "abusive" behavior rules, the Nigerian government halted Twitter"s operations in the country. Buhari"s account was suspended for 12 hours after he threatened to punish regional secessionists accused of attacking government buildings (Aljezeer news report). However, in a statement made in Abuja on Friday, 5 June 2021, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension of Twitter, citing the platform"s persistent usage for actions capable of undermining Nigeria"s corporate existence (Aljezeera.com). Thus, this erratic choice has a massive impact not only on Nigerian society, but also sends the erroneous signal to foreign investors, and small businesses in Nigeria which rely on Twitter for a livelihood would be equally impacted. "Businesses in Nigeria use digital media to attract customers, expose their brands, and connect with numerous stakeholders," Sesan explained to AlJazeera. As a result, the citizens of the country have been limited by this ban as most social media users in Nigeria are acquainted with the use of Twitter for sharing educative, urgent, and business information. They also use Twitter to express their opinions and participate in both social and political matters. According to Aljezeera"s interview with Emmanuel Alumona, "Twitter is similar to my local newspaper. When I want to check what"s going on in the country and people"s opinions, I refresh my timeline; nevertheless, it"s too difficult to tolerate Twitter"s ban because most Nigerians, including myself, may no longer be kept up to date on societal affairs". it is therefore upon this background that this study aims at identifying the causes and consequences of the Twitter ban on Nigerian people.

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 deeply unveil the unforeseen effects of the mercurial decision against the use of Twitter in Nigeria. In light of this, the study will also educate/apprise the Nigerian government on the dangers that the indefinite suspension of Twitter in the country may cause, as well as enlighten them on the importance of listening to the voices of their citizens. More so, for businesses in Nigeria which use Twitter to reach their customers, this study will be of great use to them as the study will not be considered complete without proffering solutions that will be practically applicable. Lastly, this study will serve as a source of relevant information for students, researchers, other academics, and the general public.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the causes and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigerian citizens, with the specific goal of identifying the major causes of the Twitter ban in Nigeria, identifying the negative effects of the Twitter ban on Nigerian citizens, and determining whether the Twitter ban has any effect on Nigerian citizens" social interactions. Therefore, this study will sample only public opinion and will be delimited to Asaba Delta State residence.

1.7 Limitation of the Study

Financial constraint

Inadequate funds tend to impede the researcher"s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire, and interview).

Time constraint

The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Social media

Social media, basically, concerns all forms of new media technology that offers interactive sharing of information, videos, pictures, text and comments with such websites as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, Youtube and Blogs.

Twitter

Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as "tweets".

Ban

A ban is a formal or informal prohibition of something. Bans are formed for the prohibition of activities within a certain political territory.

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

The focus of this study is to identify the causes and effects of the Twitter ban on Nigeria"s citizens using Asaba metropolis in Delta state as case study. The study Identified the major causes of the Twitter ban in Nigeria. It Identified the negative effect of the Twitter ban on Nigeria"s citizens. It investigated if the Twitter ban had any effect on the social interaction of Nigeria"s citizens.

The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study.Well structured questionnaire was issued to the participant which provided answers to the research questions. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Twitter Users in Asaba Metropolis of Delta State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

5.2 Conclusion

The social media explosion over the previous decade has had profound influence on many facets of daily life. While Twitter ban has portrayed to be a severe abuse of authority by elevating the President"s personal interests over the interests of the country and its inhabitants as the ban was not carried out democratically. The prohibition is a serious breach of the Federal Republic of Nigeria"s Constitution, which the President, Minister of Information, and Minister of Justice pledged to respect.

Findings from the study revealed that the cause of twitter ban as opined from the minister of information is as result of using Twitter as media for promoting secessionist interest as well as the assumed fake news spread on the platform. Findings from the study also revealed that the current twitter ban ban has affected Nigeria citizen in several ways: ranging from disrupting social interaction, businesses impacted, brands loosing their online customers, shrinking of the civic space, breach on the fundamental human right and much more effect.

5.3 Recommendation

From the findings from the study, the researchers therefore recommends that:

The federal government of Nigeria should endeavour to go back to their drawing board and make necessary amendments to the ban on Twitter usage in Nigeria.

The federal government of Nigeria should recognize that the ban on Twitter is affecting different spheres of the economy. They should adhere to the terms and rules of ECOWAS and revoke the ban since the ban is a bridge of the fundamental rights of the citizen.

Nigerians should develop the habit of patience and perseverance in pursuing their rights and entitlements especially with regards to other law enforcement agencies and the justice system and not just leave everything to the Almighty God and counting on the last day of judgement.

Nigerians should (within the ambit of law) be resistant to any form of rights violation whether by individuals or authorities. 5. There should be all round political will and commitment by the various stakeholders on rights to genuinely safeguard, enforce and ensure compliance with rights provisions as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria and other related charters.

There should be comprehensive and extensive civic education from the grassroots level to educate and enlighten Nigerians from different categories on the significance of rights and related constitutional provisions for safeguard and enforcement.

Provision of legal aid services should be revived and encouraged all over the country.

More so, open and accessible human rights documentation centres should be established especially by nongovernmental organizations to guard against excessive abuse of citizens" rights and document where it occurs for legal and other purposes

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

List of Tables

Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Objective of the study

1.4 Research question

1.5 Significance of the study

1.6 Scope of the study

1.7 Limitation of the study

1.8 Definition of terms

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Design

3.3 Population of the study

3.4 Sample size determination

3.5 Sample size selection technique and procedure

3.6 Research Instrument and Administration

3.7 Method of data collection

3.8 Method of data analysis

3.9 Validity of the Study

3.10 Reliability of the study

3.11 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Research Hypothesis

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

Appendix

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials