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IMPACT OF TWITTER BAN ON ONLINE SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Social media platforms have increasingly become a stage on which the tension between the government and networked dissent plays out in Africa. The recent banning of Twitter by the Nigerian government is a reminder that government still gags the means of mass communication when it does not favor its policies (Anyim, 2021). Government from time immemorial has relied on the press to communicate with the public on policies and programmes that shape everyday living. The advent of the Internet, especially the social media platforms have broadened the two-way information traffic between government and people, thus making the process of communication flexible, accessible and feedback quicker. Ironically, in the age

where technological innovation and advancement in knowledge have revolutionized the way people conduct their affairs; the media have seen its freedom on a downward slide the world over. The right to seek and disseminate information through independent media is under severe attack as can be seen.

Social media is a means of interaction between people from different spheres of life through creating, sharing, and/or exchanging information and ideas in virtual communities and networks (Anyim, 2021;Njoku, Olumide, Daka, Ugoeze, Abuh, Nzor and Osibe, 2021). The increasing popularity of social media platforms has created a new digital social network in which individuals can interact and share information, news, and opinions with unprecedented speed and ease. Within the social sciences, much emphasis has been placed on conceptualizing social media’s role in modern society (Trottier, 2012).The advent of social media have prompted questions on the interrelationships between online and offline actors, institutions, events, and political and social change (Edwards, Housley, Williams, Sloan, Williams, 2013). Thus, according to Edwards et al. (2013), networked digital technologies are transforming public communications in different 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.

Twitter is a social networking micro blogging that allows registered members to broadcast short posts called tweets. Twitter members can broadcast tweets and follow other users' tweets by using multiple platforms and devices, thereby facilitating the swift dissemination of information. Tweets and replies to tweets can be sent by cell phone text messages, a desktop client or by posting on the Twitter website (Gerbaudo, 2012).

As a result, the unrestricted interactive nature of Twitter has provided numerous opportunities for the public to interact with various issues in their society

President Buhari in the tweet shared on Tuesday, 1 June, 2021, cited the Nigerian Civil War experience, which was fought between 1967 and 1970, and noted that most of those "Misbehaving" by burning electoral offices were too young to understand the gravity of war (Anyim,2021). The tweet raised global concern and millions of comments with widespread condemnation and criticism trailed the presidents comment and some Nigerians called on Twitter to suspend the President's account, claiming the tweet expresses intentions of self-harm or suicide" as stated on Twitter's usage policy. In response to the matter, Minister of Information and Culture, La Mohammed, accused Twitter of double standard claiming that other individuals and groups also make inciting tweets but ignored by Twitter which finally led to the ban (Anyim,

2021) and this marked the first time a social media platform was banned in Nigeria.

According to Net Blocks Internet Observatory, (2018) the top four telecommunications operators (MIN Airtel, Globacom & 9mobile) in the country have implemented the ban, blocking access to Twitter across Nigeria. However, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) has been an alternative and used by many to circumvent the ban (Osuagwu, 2021). VPN is an app that is programmed to allow users to log into twitter as people from other locations where twitter is not banned. Nigerian Twitter users tend to view the platform as their "ally:" a sort of oppositional tool that they deploy against the government. According to Aneke, (2018) Twitter's architectural make-up of hashtags, @username and retweets are invaluable when it comes to hashtag activism, creating digital counter-publics and intensifying social movements.

The right to seek and disseminate information through independent media is under severe attack as can be seen.

Aharony (2010) disclosed that Twitter was at first introduced as another tool to assist friends and family to remain connected. Fiander (2012) included that Twitter's developers imagined it as a broadcast medium: a way of quickly communicating one's location and what one is doing, feeling, or thinking.

To that extent, the micro-blogging platform consists of a range of features such as tweeting, retweeting posts, tagging accounts, pinning tweets, direct messaging, follower and following, and Twitter chatting (Del Bosque, Leif, & Skarl, 2012). With these important features, Twitter has rapidly become a prominent source for businesses, news outlets, celebrities, instincts and more (Del Bosque, Leif & Skarl, 2012).

Twitter account holders leveraged its functions to post information or updates, share photos, interact with chat, upload videos, and look for opinions via a Twitter poll. Beyond this, Twitter provides individuals with the chance for live video streaming and live-tweeting, which includes following an event on Twitter and sending a number of tweets regarding different aspects of the event as it progresses. All these opportunities have consistently shown to be strong selling points for the platform.

Students today have begun to depend on the accessibility of information that is available on the social media sites particularly as well as the web generally so as to get answer. This implies that there is a reduced focus on learning in addition to on retaining information. Additionally, students are trying to multi-task. They are attempting to check different social media sites why they study. This results in a reduced academic performance. Besides, their capacity to focus on their task at hand get significantly reduced as a result of the distractions that is caused by all these social networks sites. The other unfavorable impact on students is that they are spending excessive time on social sites and minimal time on socializing in person.

As a matter of fact, there is a lack of body signals besides other non-verbal cues, consisting of tone and inflections in the instance of social media. Therefore, they cannot be considered as an appropriate substitute for any face to face communication. Not just are these, students who are spending a great deal of time on these social media platforms, unable to communicate in person in an effective way. These social media platforms have become so popular in short time since the information gets published in a rapid way. This has really created a lax mindset for using appropriate spelling along with grammar. As a matter of fact, the students are not able to write properly without the help of the check feature of a computer. This study examines the Nigerian authority's efforts at restricting press freedom and specifically, the 2021 Nigeria Twitter suspension.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Social media especially twitter and Instagram have become an avenue for many businesses to promote their goods and services and take orders. Twitter is a more reliable and respectable platform for some of our high profile customers to order what they want (Osuagwu, 2021). Businesses who have twitter as their primary medium for getting new customers are likely to see a slowdown in business for the duration of the ban. It will also mean reduced income for a youth population already having a very bad time economically.

Generally, after the twitter ban businesses that operate with twitter are suffering in just a few hours this suspension has been enforced (Osuagwu, 2021). According to Netblocks a watchdog organization that monitors cyber-security and governance of the internet, each hour of the social media gagging costs Nigeria about $250,000 (#102.5 million) bringing the daily loss to 2.5 billion naira (Anyim, 2021). With Nigeria struggling under the weight of low growth, high inflation and high unemployment, banning Twitter and losing all inherent financial benefit will pose significant challenges to the dwindling Nigerian economy.

There are also the problems it poses for additional investment into the country. Interestingly, Nigeria has been celebrated as one of the few African countries attracting investment into the tech ecosystem but was recently shunned when twitter chose neighboring Ghana for its first African headquarters (lyorah, 2021).

The implication of this will affect the socio-economic activities especially start-ups that rely on the platform to transact and connect to their customers. Regrettably, (lyorah, 2021) aver that Ghana is a champion of democracy because it supports free speech, online freedom and open internet. As a result, the jobs and investment that would typically follow the establishment of such a presence in Nigeria, has been lost.

Moreover, other global tech companies who want to establish or deepen their presence in Africa are now more likely to look to Ghana rather than Nigeria (Iyorah, 2021).

Most importantly, social media is used for socializing; it is a form of media that allows people to participate in conversations and online dialogue without being face-to-face with others (Adegboruwa,2021). It is pertinent, therefore, to empirically access the impact the ban of Twitter in Nigeria has had on online interaction of students in Nigeria, with particular attention to undergraduates of  Federal University of Technology, Minna.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of twitter ban on online social communication

Specific objectives include;

1. To assess the level of awareness of the Twitter ban among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates.

2. To investigate the impact of the Twitter ban on online interaction patterns among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates.

3. To identify alternative online interaction channels utilized by Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates in response to the Twitter ban.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the extent of awareness of the Twitter ban among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates?

2. How has the Twitter ban influenced the frequency and nature of online interactions among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates?

3. What alternative online platforms are Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates utilizing to maintain communication and social interaction following the Twitter ban?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES:

1. H0: There is no significant difference in awareness of the Twitter ban among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates across different demographic groups.

2. H0: The Twitter ban has not significantly affected the online interaction patterns of Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates.

3. H0: There is no significant correlation between the level of awareness of the Twitter ban and the adoption of alternative online interaction channels among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings from this study will be relevant to all the arms of the government and to the citizens of Nigeria. Theoretically and empirically, the study will enlighten the arms of the government, especially the judiciary, on the need to re-assess the current restriction/ban on the Twitter platform, having in mind that internet freedom is important. As a result, all restrictions must be based on clear, specific, and easily accessible statute law. Those regulatory authorities applying the laws restricting freedom of expression on social media must be entirely independent, accountable and with adequate safeguards in place to avoid arbitrariness. Furthermore, the study will contribute to the body of knowledge, serve as a reference material, and be extremely beneficial to students and researchers who may be interested in gathering or conducting studies related to the topic under study.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study refers to the parameters within which the research will operate (Simon & Goes, 2013). The study will focus on the awareness of the impact of the Twitter ban on online interaction among Federal University of Technology Minna undergraduates. Additionally, it will investigate the public perception of the Twitter ban among the students. While such research could be conducted nationally, this study will be confined to the undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology Minna to effectively manage time and resources.

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The following factors pose to be a limitation during the course of this research

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview). 

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following words were used in the process of carrying out this study:

1. Twitter: Twitter is an American micro-blogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read them.

2. Twitter Ban: this is the authoritative pause in the operation of twitter as mandated by the Federal government of Nigeria on June 5th 2021 until the owners of the social network meet the newly established requirement given to them by the government of Nigeria.

3. Social media: It 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.

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