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Abstract: The study investigated the effects of the Twitter Ban on Nigerians freedom of Expression. A survey research method was adopted. A questionnaire was used to elicit responses from respondents who were students of the University of Lagos, Akoka. The study was anchored on Sources Credibility Theory and Technology Determinism Theory. Accidental sampling technique as a non-probability sampling technique was adopted. The data collected were analyzed in descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) with the aids of SPSS version 23. Findings show that the majority of respondents (42.3%) claimed that they use Twitter to a very high extent as many of them (48%) often use Twitter. Many of the respondents (48%) agree that Twitter really enhanced their right to freedom of expression. The majority of respondents (48%) disagree that the Twitter ban has led to loss of jobs, although many respondents (47.3%) agree that Twitter ban was against human rights and kick against it. No wonder a larger number of respondents (41.5%) agreed that the ban of Twitter should be lifted as the majority of respondents (31.5%) claimed that banned of Twitter hindered their freedom of information. The study recommended that Twitter and other social media need not be repressed as they offer platforms for free expression of opinion, especially on public matters. Also, Twitter should be lifted out of the ban because it affected lots of businesses to share their activities and Programmes online while many Nigerians are making lots of money through Twitter, thus, it banned may have resulted in the loss of revenue, create more unemployment and by extension impacted on National economy.

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Keywords: TWITTER BAN

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CHAPTER ONE

1.1       Introduction

1.2       Background to the Study

Precisely, on June 4th 2021, the Nigerian government officially put an indefinite ban on Twitter, restricting it from operating in Nigeria after the social media platform deleted tweets made by the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari where he warned the south eastern people of Nigeria (Maclean, 2021).

Ohuocha (2021) pointed out that the Nigerian government claimed that the deletion of the President’s tweets factored into their decision but it was ultimately based on “a litany of problems with the social media platform in Nigeria, where misinformation and fake news spread through it have had real world violent consequences”.

According to Wikipedia (nd) who observed that the ban was condemned by various international human rights organisation, United Nations, Amnesty International as well as the British and Canadian missions and the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria among other. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and other Organisations indicated intent to challenge the ban in court. Twitter itself called the ban “deeply concerning”.

Maclean (2021) confirmed that Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Cultural, Lai Mohammed said the ban will be lifted once Twitter submits to local licencing, registration and conditions. The minister noted that the ban will be licenced by the broadcasting commission, and must agree not to allow its platform to be used by those who are promoting activities that are inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria. However, three days after the ban, it was reported that the ban has cost the country over 6 billion Naira and will also contribute to the worsening unemployment in the country.

Odeh (2021) pointed out that the ban on Twitter is a direct attack on freedom of expression, free speech, and rights. According to Odeh (2021), the banning of Twitter is regrettable, adding that the action is a stifle the rights of citizens with this move which stands to retract the minimal gains made around freedom of expression and media independence since the days of military rule in Nigeria.

Press freedom has historically been a contentious issue in many African countries, with Nigeria criticised as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists (Odeh, 2021). Also, Odeh (2021) noted that such a ban will only stifle the ambitions of many young Nigerians, as many of whom had already using Twitter to market their businesses and expand to new markets around the globe.

The ban of Twitter is equally harmful to the entertainment and media industries as many content creators will be unable to reach their audiences. According to Odeh (2021) the ban also closes the door to open dialogue between Nigerians both locally and in the diaspora. Furthermore, it hampers the fundamental rights of Nigerians to free speech, freedom of expression and greatly limits the civic space in the country (Odeh, 2021).

According to Odeh (2021), the freedom of the press has been under constant attack in Nigeria. Since 2015 when President Buhari assumed office, over 226 cases of attacks on the Nigerian media have been recorded by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism [PTCIJ] Press Attack Tracker. These cases include physical attacks, sanctions, surveillance, closure of radio and TV stations, imprisonments and killings among other forms of oppression. A similar platform managed by Spaces for Change has recorded over 320 instances of the federal government and other affiliated institutions clamping down on civic space. Broad categories of these attempts to close civic space include restrictions on free speech, freedom of association and assembly.

According to IFEX (2021), Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the International Press Centre (IPC) condemned the Government’s action as a violation of international norms and standards, pointed out that such step contravene the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights’ Resolution 362 on the Right to Freedom of Information and Expression on the Internet in Africa, adopted on November 4, 2016 at its 59th Ordinary Session; the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, adopted by the Commission in November 2019, at its 65th Ordinary Session; and recent UN Human Rights Council resolutions touching on the matter.

Although, Committee to Protect Journalists (2021) writes that on June 22 2021 the ECOWAS court order for Nigeria to refrain from sanctioning media outlets and the country’s citizens for using Twitter is a welcome affirmation that efforts to curb freedom of the press are not welcome in West Africa but surprisingly, till date Twitter has not being unblock. It is against this background that the study investigates effect of the Twitter Ban on Nigerians freedom of Expression.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Before the signing of Freedom of Information Act (FOI) by formal president Goodluck Jonathan on the 28th May 2011, the press, human rights even individual went through a lot of criticism in the hands of government especially the military government which as a result, many journalists and human rights activists were imprisoned, assassinated and assaulted.

It is the belief of lots of Nigerians that with the new Freedom of Information Act, most of the challenges facing assess and sharing of information will go to an end, but surprisingly, with the recently ban of Twitter by the federal government of Nigeria, the aspiration of many Nigerians seems to be chattered as banning of Twitter is amount to infringement on freedom of expression especially as many news media rely on it for sourcing and sharing information.

How free are press, human rights and individual under the FOI Act as Twitter was recently banned, what gap has new ban of Twitter has on Nigerians, to what extent are journalists really accept this development in their daily routine especially in accessing and sharing of information in Nigeria. 

This and many more questions are begging for the answers, it is against this background that the study investigates audience perception of freedom of expression in Nigeria Focusing on University of Lagos.  Also, most of the studies on Twitter non focus on Twitter ban or social media ban but rather focusing on positive or negative effect of social media. It is against this backdrop that the study is on the thrust to investigate effect of the Twitter Ban on Nigerians freedom of Expression.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the perception of Nigerians towards the banning of Twitter by the federal government.
2. To determine whether the banning of Twitter has hampered freedom of information.

1.4       Research Questions

1. What is the Perception of Nigerians towards the banning of Twitter by the federal government?
2. To what extent has the banning of Twitter hampering freedom of information?

1.6       Scope of the Study

The study which investigates effect of the Twitter Ban on Nigerians freedom of Expression has been narrowed in scope to University of Lagos. Thus, the geographical scope of this study shall be within Lagos state. The choice of UNIILAG was due to the proximity to the researcher, inadequate time to study all students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria among other logistics. Also, the demographic factors of the respondents will carefully study before the administration of research instruments such factors include: age, gender, academic level e.t.c.

1.7       Significance of the Study

This study is intended at finding out audience perception of freedom of expression in Nigeria. This study is also essential to serve stakeholders in the information sector with the needed insight on the level freedom enjoy on Nigeria and global perspective.

The significance of the study also aiming at revealing to the entire world especially the media practitioners, audience which include different bodies and agencies that the freedom of expression is a freedom of everybody in the society irrespective of their discipline, status and background.

The study will further help media practitioners on the need to fully inculcate and freely but responsible in their daily activities for better gathering and dissemination of factual and balanced stories.

It is also expected that at the end of this study, the study will update knowledge within the framework of freedom of expression, particularly, it will assist general public on the reasons journalists and individuals need to be more free and enjoy more freedom of expression in the society at large.

The government through its various agencies will see reason to ensure freedom of expression and information entrenched in the 199 constitution as amended to be in line with democratic tenet

Press, human rights and other related bodies will also understand why Twitter and other social media should be free as offers platform to criticize and encourage government on development programmes

More so, those who want to engage in similar study will find it very useful by serving as a reference point as it will add to the body of knowledge available on freedom of expression in Nigeria. Similarly,the findings of this study will serve as an additional literature on the topic for students and researchers who will like to carry out similar research while, the material will form bulk literature that exist in the field of mass communication, journalism, development journalism and media studies, etc

1.7       Operational Definition of Team

Effect: This is the impact of twitter ban on students’ freedom of expression.

Freedom of Expression: Thi2s means freedom to express one’s feeling one public issue without fear or favour.

Twitter ban: In this research, Twitter ban simply means effort of federal government of Nigeria in prohibiting the use of Twitter in the country.

 

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“EFFECTS OF TWITTER BAN ON NIGERIANS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION“

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WHAT TO EXPECT: (Format-MS Word, Chapter 1-5, Abstract, Table of Contents, Questionnaire and References)

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HOW TO GET COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL

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