Uses of Social Media among Selected Labour Unions in Abuja during Nigeria¡¯s (January 2012) ¡°Oil Subsidy¡± Removal Protests

Michael Aondo-verr Kombol

Studies in Media and Communication, 2014, vol. 2, issue 1, 102-114

Abstract: The removal of oil subsidy in Nigeria (January 2012) sparked protests across the country and a nationwide strike action organised by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). This study examines the role of social media during these protests. This study ascertains why people in Nigeria used social media during the protests instead of other pre-existing media- radio, television, newspapers, magazines, etc. Furthermore, it identifies the purposes for which social media was used (and by whom) during the protest whether intended or otherwise. For instance, in what ways can social media influence public opinion/mobilise people and groups to protest? Using a survey the study finds that: social media was used during these protests because restrictions in other media stifle expressions of individual opinion in the public sphere. A significant percentage of the opinion expressed via social media during these protests was of frustration due to mismanagement and corruption by the Nigerian government. Pictures, factual/statistical evidence and intelligent analysis of issues were a persuasive force on social media which shaped public opinion and mobilised people to go out on the streets.

Keywords: social media; subsidy; oil; protest; labour union (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://redfame.com/journal/index.php/smc/article/view/401/355 (application/pdf)
http://redfame.com/journal/index.php/smc/article/view/401 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:rfa:smcjnl:v:2:y:2014:i:1:p:102-114

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Studies in Media and Communication from Redfame publishing Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Redfame publishing ().