Papers by Baba Mansur-Williams
Prior to the advent of the new social media, it would have been hard to imagine having access to ... more Prior to the advent of the new social media, it would have been hard to imagine having access to information through the traditional media the way we now do. Then, the ability to pick up a newspaper, tune your radio or put on your television to know what was trending depended very much on wherever you where. However, social media has redefined the meaning of geographic distance as well as availability, allowing for an increase in the volume and speed of information dissemination. Now, with a mobile phone or a tablet (handheld electronic device), one has access to real time information. I daresay mass communication has never known a more participatory and cost effective technology. The increased reach has fostered a greater participation in the various social sectors, but particular attention must be drawn to the increased participation in the action or manner of governing a state. Social media, a system of Internet based services allow users to generate content, distribute and engage with other users. What makes social media different is that it allows users to switch roles from consumer to content creator and participants, cutting out traditional media gatekeepers. Many have argued that bypassing these gatekeepers in social media has not helped journalism, but that's a topic for another day. This phenomenon is known as citizen journalism, which has to be one of the best things to happen to journalism in recent times. While many argue that it does not do justice to journalism, you have to realize and recognize the level of discontent in media houses, which are perceived to be basically following the whims and leanings of their proprietors. An unbiased outlet is needed, and it comes in the form of social media. Citizen participation comprises the action an individual or groups undertake to participate in the operation of government. However, to participate in anything, one has to first be aware of what that thing in question is. In this case, citizen participation in governance requires the citizens to understand the workings of government and the laws surrounding them (e.g., constituency projects, bills in the legislature, immunity clauses etc.). Participation goes further than recognizing rights and responsibilities; one must also be able to identify the correct channels through which to participate. However, despite government institutions having a presence on social media, the level of activity on their pages leaves a lot to be desired. They seem to only " activate " these pages when they have a message to pass and remain " offline " every other time. Another concern is how feedback obtained from these pages is used. On social media platforms, caricatures or " memes, " as they are called in social media parlance are the new craze, with virtually every prominent government member having a meme about him. The question those in government need to ask is, is there an iota of truth in these memes about us? Personally, I believe that when all is said and done even those who generally just poke fun at serious matters that the government is dealing with are just exhibiting the Nigerian way of dealing with issues that truly exist, which has been characterized as suffering and smiling, or as in this case, suffering and tweeting. Gladly, most concerned Nigerian youths are able to comment on governance, and its impact, or lack of it, via social media. Leading the pack of social media platforms are Twitter, Facebook and blogs. Since former President Goodluck Jonathan's used Facebook to declare his intention to run for president in the 2011 general elections, social media has seemed to gain more credibility within government circles. Before the advent of social media, electioneering activities were restricted to the traditional media. What this meant essentially was that to participate in politics you had to invest a great deal of resources (financial, mental, etc.) to mobilize the traditional media. The process was quite demanding, and the lack of " extra " discouraged participation in politicking. The 2011/2015 general elections, which were said to have been free and fair, were largely monitored via social media, putting the swift information dissemination capabilities to good use. President Goodluck Jonathan even created the precedent at the national level of having a senior special assistant on new media. The near standstill of the economy in 2012 during the fuel subsidy removal protests showed the federal government, when protests began in major cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Kaduna, Kano and the capital city of Abuja, that the youth were watching with concern how the country was being ruled and that with social media they had the ability to organize themselves into a formidable force. When President Muhammadu Buhari started his campaigns, he had a significant presence on social media, endearing him to the youth who mostly had not witnessed his first stint as military head of state and were willing to listen to him since he and his camp appeared accessible. While there have been instances of misuse of these platforms to malign or spread rumors about government officials or candidates, we now know that these platforms can be exploited in the interest of nation building. With about 100million Internet active Smart Identity Module (SIMs) in Nigeria, according to Ntel's CEO, messages sent across the different social media platforms are likely to get to more than half of the population of the country. Social media has promoted good governance, strengthened reform-oriented initiatives, and reduced the potential for corrupt practices. Social media platforms are free and encourage two-way communication eliciting feedback from concerned parties. This has changed in no small way the dynamics for citizen participation.
This is based on the life of a student living within the Pan Atlantic University Premises
This paper was written pre elections 2015.
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Papers by Baba Mansur-Williams