The Perception of the Challenges of Freedom of Expression by Social Media Users in Umuahia
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out the challenges of freedom of expression by social media users in Umuahia
- To ascertain the effect of social media on freedom of expression on users in Umuahia
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Social Media
Social media comprises primarily internet and mobile phone based tools for sharing and discussing information. It blends technology, telecommunications, and social interaction and provides a platform to communicate through words, pictures, films, and music. Social media includes web- based and mobile technologies used to turn communication into interactive dialogue. Social media can be defined as any web or mobile based platform that enables an individual or agency to communicate interactively and enables exchange of user generated content. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as “a group of internetbased applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and that allow the creation and exchange of user- generated content.” “Web 2.0” refers to Internet platforms that allow for interactive participation by users. “User generated content” is the name for all of the ways in which people may use social media. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) specifies three criteria for content to be classified as “user generated:” it should be available on a publicly accessible website or on a social networking site that is available to a select group, it entails a minimum amount of creative effort, and it is “created outside of professional routines and practices.” Another variant of social media is mobile social media i.e. when social media is used in combination with mobile devices it is called mobile social media. Due to the fact that mobile social media runs on mobile devices, it differentiates from traditional social media as it incorporates new factors such as the current location of the user (location-sensitivity) or the time delay between sending and receiving messages(time-sensitivity).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on the perception of the challenges of Freedom of expression by social media users in Umuahia. 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 the perception of the challenges of Freedom of expression by social media users
Summary
This study was on the perception of the challenges of Freedom of expression by social media users in Umuahia. Two objectives were raised which included: To find out the challenges of freedom of expression by social media users in Umuahia and to ascertain the effect of social media on freedom of expression on users in Umuahia. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from residents of Umuahia. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
It is clearly evident that social media is a very powerful means of exercising one’s freedom of speech and expression. However, it is also being increasingly used for illegal acts which has given force to the Government’s attempts at censoring social media. Where on the one hand, the misuse of social media entails the need for legal censorship, on the other hand, there are legitimate fears of violation of civil rights of people as an inevitable consequence of censorship. What is therefore desirable is regulation of social media, not its censorship. However, the present cyber laws of are neither appropriate nor adequate in this respect. An analysis of the existing IT laws shows that there is unaccountable and immense power in the hands of the Government while dealing with security in the cyber space. Even then, it is not sufficient to check the misuse of social media. Hence, a specific legislation is desirable to regulate social media. However, there are many practical difficulties which may arise while doing so. There is a very thin line which demarcates the enjoyment of one’s right and the violation of the enjoyment of else’s right in the process. In social media, the exercise of freedom of speech and expression by one may result in the invasion of privacy and defamation. Again, the idea of objectionable content varies from one person to another. A cartoon is a harmless way of having fun but offence may be taken by the person concerned. Similarly, hate speech, racist remarks, religious sentiments have different meanings for different people
Recommendation
Government should form a Committee including technical experts to look into all the possible facets of the use and misuse of social media and recommend a suitable manner in which it can be regulated without hindering the civil rights of citizens
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