Content Analytical Study of the Twitter Handle of Selected Celebrities as a Tool for Mobilizing End SARS Protesters
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the effect of twitter on EndSARS protesters
- To ascertain whether twitter is the only social media used by celebrities during EndSARS protesting
- To ascertain whether twitter was the tool for mobilizing EndSARS protesters
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
How #EndSARS tag was used on Twitter
The way in which #EndSARS was used provides insight into how Twitter serves as a co-ordinating platform for oppositional discourse and activist campaigns in Nigeria. During the protests, Twitter was used in at least three ways: to co-ordinate protests, to amplify the voice of the campaign globally, and to berate brands and public figures deemed to be opposed to the movement.
- In terms of co-ordinating the protests, Twitter was actively used to share information regarding protest venues and to update protesters on breaking news events. Indeed, without a platform like Twitter it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for protesters to spread across the country to co-ordinate themselves in highly organised and effective ways and to feed off one another’s energy.
- Twitter users also sought to amplify conversations around the hashtags #EndSARS, #SARSMustEnd, #EndPoliceBrutality and #EndSARSNow. It was clear that users wanted coverage of the protests by international new outlets and they saw this as a success, celebrating every clip of international media reportage. It seems the agenda was to “get the word out there”, for people to retweet widely, for celebrities and influencers to use the hashtag, and for news on the protests to be widely circulated. This strategy of amplification appears to have been successful. On 9 October 2020, #EndSARS was the top trendinghashtag in the world with over 2 million tweets, and it continuously trended in other countries including the United States and the United Kingdom.
- In contrast, protesters called out established brands that were silent on the hashtag. In some instances, banks were berated on Twitterfor not tweeting #EndSARS and for not supporting the campaign with funds, something start-ups were said to have done. Also, actress Toyin Abraham was condemned on Twitter for promoting her movie during the protests as users felt she was being “insensitive” and “inconsiderate”. In similar fashion, Twitter users attacked singer Burna Boy for not taking part in the campaign online. The Twitter campaign urged people to unfollow President Muhammadu Buhari on Twitter, leading to him losing 100,000 followers. Some Twitter users went as far as releasing the phone numbers of public figures who opposed the #EndSARS movement, asking that they be bombarded with calls.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought Content Analytical Study of the Twitter Handle of Selected Celebrities as a Tool For Mobilizing #EndSARs Protesters.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information Content Analytical Study of the Twitter Handle of Selected Celebrities as a Tool For Mobilizing #EndSARs Protesters. 200 celebrities in Lagos state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Content Analytical Study of the Twitter Handle of Selected Celebrities As a Tool For Mobilizing EndSARs Protesters. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Twitter Handle of Selected Celebrities As a Tool For Mobilizing EndSARs Protesters
Summary
This study was on Content Analytical Study of the Twitter Handle of Selected Celebrities as a Tool for Mobilizing EndSARs Protesters. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the effect of twitter on EndSARS protesters, to ascertain whether twitter is the only social media used by celebrities during EndSARS protesting and to ascertain whether twitter was the tool for mobilizing EndSARS protesters. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 selected celebrities in Lagos state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made male celebrities, female celebrities, politicians and protesters were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The protests which takes its name from the slogan started in 2017 as a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #ENDSARS to demand the disbanding of the unit by the Nigerian government. After experiencing a revitalization in October 2020 following more revelations of the abuses of the unit, mass demonstrations occurred throughout the major cities of Nigeria, accompanied by vociferous outrage on social media platforms. It is good for government of Nigeria to adhere to the demand of the protesters
Recommendation
Twitter really help the protester for easy circulation of information especially by retweeting. Celebrities help in the campaign for better Nigeria. Government of Nigeria should keep to the demand of the protesters for better Nigeria
References
- https://qz.com/africa/1916319/how-nigerians-use-social-media-to-organize-endsars-protests
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a34485605/what-is- https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/medialse/2020/11/11/endsars-a-unique-twittersphere-and-social-media-regulation-in-nigeriaendsars/
- https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9taWxsZW5uaWFsc2FyZWtpbGxpbmdjYXBpdGFsaXNtLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz
- https://wagingnonviolence.org/2020/11/nigeria-endsars-suspended-protest-come-back-stronger
