Influence of Political Media Hate Speech Campaign on Enugu Voter’s Choice for the 2023 Presidential Elections in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the study is to investigate the influence of political media hate speech campaign on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria. Other specific objectives of the study however are to;
To examine the prevalence and characteristics of political media hate speech campaigns during the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria.
To analyze the perception of voters towards political media hate speech campaigns and their impact on voter behavior.
To investigate the relationship between exposure to political media hate speech campaigns and voter’s choice for the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria.
To explore the potential mediating factors that may influence the relationship between political media hate speech campaigns and voter’s choice, such as political affiliation, education level, and social media usage.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
HATE SPEECH
Citing Neissser (1994, p.337), Alakali, Faga and Mbursa (nd, p.164) define hate speech as “all communications (whether verbal, written, symbolic) that insults a racial, ethnic and political group, whether by suggesting that they are inferior in some respect or by indicating that they are despised or not welcomed for other reasons.” From the above definition, it means that hate speech refers to utterances against a group or race. For Weber (2009), hate speech refers to the “speech that attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group on the basis of national origin, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, identity, sexual orientation or disability” (p.9). In Weber‟s definition, an individual can as well be a victim of hate speech, but on account of his association with or belonging to a particular group or colour or origin. Downs and Cowan (2012) note that hate speech is a dangerous weapon which is capable of demeaning the victim‟s ego, terrorizing, wounding and resulting in both mental and physical injury. In the same vein, Őzarslan (2014,p.70) observes that hate speech is sometimes accompanied by violent acts against the other person hence he maintains that it is not just hate speech but also hate act. Őzarslan‟s (2014) observation is in tandem with Austin‟s Perlocutionary act which shows that speeches do not only state but also acts. Butler (1994) declares that hate speech is a linguistic injury which produces similar effect as physical injury. In Nigeria and in other parts of the world, hate speech is frowned at. It is viewed as being capable of initiating conflict or war as well as capable of causing psychological trauma which may result in physical combat or incite people to act in an inordinate manner. Although in Nigeria hate speech and hate speech laws seem to be a current phenomenon which started in 2017 when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo and the senate declared hate speech as illegal and an act of terrorism, hate speech laws have been in existence in Nigeria and in several international communities such as United Nations, the USA, Kenya, etc (Alakali, Faga, and Mbursa (nd). The above source further observes that hate speech laws have been in existence in cyber-space and political party codes in Nigeria. In addition, there exist some international laws on hate speech which includes members of the Nigerian society
What Constitutes Hate Speech?
It could be said that there is no international legal definition of hate speech. The characterization of what is “hateful” is still controversial and disputed. Hate speech has been defined as speech that carries no meaning other than the expression of hatred for some group, such as a particular race, especially in circumstances in which communication is likely to provoke violence (Garner, 2004) Hate speech has also been defined by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (1997) as “covering all forms of expression that spread, incite, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia, anti-semitism or other forms of hatred based on intolerance, including: intolerance expressed by aggressive nationalism and people of immigrant origin. Hate speech is a speech that attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group on the basis of national origin, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Hate speech is a speech that vilifies, harasses, intimidates, or incites hatred toward an individual or group on the basis of a characteristic such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The word “speech” here refers not only to verbal inscriptions and utterances, but also to pictorial representations and symbols.(Brison, 2013). Hate speech has also been defined as any kind of communication in speech, writing or behavior that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.(Guterres, 2019) Hate speech puts people down based on their race or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, physical condition, disability or sexual orientation (Cortese, 2006). Hate speech has been the subject of numerous objections. It has been described as devastating to liberty, disrespectful to autonomy, inability to self-realization, stifling the discovery of truth, unnecessary and responsible for chilling forms of valuable speech(Brown, 2015). Hate speech should not be tolerated in the name of free speech. It has real and devastating effects on people‟s lives and risks their health and safety. (Arthur, 2012). On the other hand, freedom of speech should go further than curbing state power to censor speech, creating conditions of genuine equality. The technological breakthrough has, in recent times aided Nigerians to freely express their opinions on issues that affect or impact their lives directly or indirectly. In effect, the social media phenomenon has decentralized processes of hate speech dissemination thereby allowing audience the opportunity to partake in the creation and distribution of media contents.(Agbese, 2018) It is noteworthy that Nigeria, like most nations suffers from the difficulty of achieving a balance between the right of free speech and speech that is inimical to national harmony, unity and peace
Hate Speech on the Internet
Communication is the essence of the Internet. Hate speech is particularly troublesome on the Internet because of the speaker‟s ability to immediately disseminate the speech to numerous recipients all over the world. There are various methods of expression which include speech, pictorial representations and verbal inscriptions. However, the various methods of expression are referred to as “speech”. The Internet has introduced a new medium of communication as well as new form of speech, referred to as “electronic speech”. It is a speech that encompasses the traditional forms of speech, such as in the display of words or images on a computer. It also includes new forms of speech, such as Internet addresses, or domain names, and “code”, the machine-readable language of software programs.(Hiller & Cohen, 2002) It is pertinent to state that electronic speech differ from traditional forms of speech in that one person‟s speech on a website can instantaneously be accessed by millions of users across the globe. Thus, the Internet raises significantly issues concerning the definition of “speech” in different countries of the world. In addition, any attempt to regulate the Internet must strike a constitutional balance between the need to maintain the free flow of information and the need to limit the availability of certain forms of speech.(Hiller & Cohen, 2002)The use of web pages and chat rooms to spread hatred of certain groups increased in the 1990s. According to Simon Weisenthal Center, in 1995 there was only one racist site and by 1999 that number had increased to 1,400 (Hiller & Cohen, 2002). Hate speech with respect to the Internet is particularly troublesome because of the speaker‟s ability to immediately disseminate the speech to numerous recipients all over the world sometimes at the same time. On May 31, 2016, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter, jointly agreed to a European Union Code of Conduct obligating them to review “the majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal/hate speech” posted on their services within 24 hours. This portrays the extent of concern the world has for hate communication.(Onanuga,2018)
Chapter Three
Research methodology
Research Design
The research design adopted in this research work is the survey research design which involves the usage of self-designed questionnaire in the collection of data. Under the survey research design, primary data of this study will be collected from selected residents in Enugu state in order to determine Influence of political media hate speech campaign on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria. The design was chosen because it enables the researcher to collect data without manipulation of any variables of interest in the study. The design also provides opportunity for equal chance of participation in the study for respondents.
Population of Study
The population of study is the census of all items or a subject that possess the characteristics or that have the knowledge of the phenomenon that is being studied (Asiaka, 1991). It also means the aggregate people from which the sample is to be drawn.
Population is sometimes referred to as the universe. The population of this research study will be Seventy-five (75) selected residents in Nsukka, Enugu state
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter is about the analysis and presentation of data collected from the field through questionnaire. The analysis of the data with particular question immediately followed by the presentation of findings.
As mentioned in chapter three, 63 questionnaires were administered and 50 were retrieved and necessary analysis was carried out on them and presented as follows:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Influence of political media hate speech campaign on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria. 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 influence of political media hate speech campaign on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria.
Summary
This study was on Influence of political media hate speech campaign on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria. Four objectives were raised which included: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of political media hate speech campaigns during the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria, to analyze the perception of voters towards political media hate speech campaigns and their impact on voter behavior, to investigate the relationship between exposure to political media hate speech campaigns and voter’s choice for the 2023 Presidential elections in Nigeria and to explore the potential mediating factors that may influence the relationship between political media hate speech campaigns and voter’s choice, such as political affiliation, education level, and social media usage. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
In conclusion, the influence of political media hate speech campaigns on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria can have significant implications. While specific details about the 2023 elections are not available, it is essential to consider the potential impact of hate speech campaigns in shaping voter behavior in Enugu and beyond.
Political media hate speech campaigns can polarize the electorate, reinforcing existing biases and solidifying support for or against specific candidates or parties. The emotional appeal of hate speech can sway some voters, leading them to base their choices on visceral reactions rather than a thorough evaluation of candidates’ qualifications or policy positions. However, the impact of hate speech on voter choices can be mediated by various factors.
Media literacy and critical thinking skills play a crucial role in mitigating the influence of hate speech. Enugu voters who possess the ability to critically analyze information and distinguish reliable sources are less likely to be swayed by hate speech campaigns. Socioeconomic factors, such as education and access to information, can also influence how voters respond to hate speech, with higher levels of education and socioeconomic well-being fostering more critical evaluation.
Identity and group affiliations can shape the impact of hate speech on Enugu voter choices. Those who strongly identify with specific ethnic, religious, or social groups may be more influenced by hate speech targeting their identities or the groups they align with. Conversely, individuals who prioritize inclusivity and shared values may be less influenced by hate speech.
Political party affiliation and loyalty can act as mediating factors, influencing Enugu voters’ responses to hate speech. Strong party loyalty may shield voters from the influence of hate speech campaigns, reinforcing their existing political preferences. Personal values and ideology can also play a role, with voters aligning their choices based on their values of tolerance, inclusivity, or more extreme ideologies.
Furthermore, trust in political institutions and leaders can impact the relationship between hate speech campaigns and Enugu voter behavior. High levels of trust may make voters more susceptible to hate speech if it aligns with the narratives promoted by trusted figures, while low trust can lead to skepticism and a search for alternative sources of information.
Ultimately, understanding the influence of political media hate speech campaigns on Enugu voter’s choices for the 2023 presidential elections requires a comprehensive assessment of these factors. Promoting media literacy, critical thinking, and inclusive political discourse is essential in mitigating the potential negative effects of hate speech and fostering an environment where voters can make informed and thoughtful decisions based on substantive issues.
Recommendation
Based on the influence of political media hate speech campaigns on Enugu voter’s choice for the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria, the following recommendations can be made:
- Strengthen media literacy education: Promote media literacy programs that equip Enugu voters with critical thinking skills and the ability to discern reliable information from hate speech and misinformation. These programs should focus on teaching citizens how to evaluate sources, fact-check claims, and identify manipulative tactics used in political campaigns.
- Promote responsible political discourse: Encourage political leaders, parties, and media organizations to adopt responsible and respectful communication strategies. Emphasize issue-focused campaigns that prioritize substantive policy discussions over personal attacks. Publicly condemn hate speech and encourage candidates to actively disassociate themselves from such rhetoric.
- Enforce existing laws against hate speech: Ensure that laws addressing hate speech are effectively enforced. Collaborate with relevant authorities to monitor and identify individuals or groups perpetuating hate speech during the electoral period. Swiftly prosecute offenders to send a strong message that hate speech will not be tolerated.
- Enhance civic education: Invest in civic education initiatives that emphasize the importance of tolerance, inclusivity, and respect for diversity. Encourage open discussions on democratic values, citizenship responsibilities, and the detrimental effects of hate speech. Promote dialogue that bridges divides and fosters understanding among Enugu voters.
- Foster intergroup dialogue and cooperation: Facilitate platforms for dialogue and engagement between different ethnic, religious, and social groups within Enugu. Encourage activities that promote mutual understanding, collaboration, and the recognition of shared goals and aspirations. These efforts can help bridge divides and reduce the impact of hate speech on voter choices.
- Support independent fact-checking organizations: Provide support and resources to independent fact-checking organizations that can verify and debunk false information propagated during political campaigns. Promote their work to raise awareness among Enugu voters about the importance of relying on credible sources of information.
- Engage political parties and candidates: Encourage political parties and candidates to commit to responsible campaign conduct and sign codes of ethics that denounce hate speech. Promote transparency in campaign financing and discourage the use of inflammatory language or personal attacks.
- Foster a culture of tolerance and inclusivity: Emphasize the values of tolerance, inclusivity, and respect for diversity in Enugu society. Engage religious and community leaders, schools, and civil society organizations in initiatives that promote dialogue, understanding, and empathy. Create spaces for Enugu voters to come together and celebrate their shared identities and aspirations.
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