Protocols
Wikipedia defines new media as forms of media that are computational and rely on computers and the Internet for redistribution. Some examples of new media are computer animations, computer games, human-computer interfaces, interactive computer installations, websites, and virtual worlds
For me, new media also refers to digital media channels developed in the last few decades with the power of technology and lubricated with internet data. They include online publishing channels such as news websites, blogs and social media.
New media is the most popular media, reaching billions of people at the same time globally.
In influence, it has overtaken legacy media due to migration of readers to digital
media platforms through the power of internet penetration and mobility of devices used to access information.
The new media has the advantage of delivering contents immediately, allows news consumers to comment, and their comments read by others real time which can transform to conversations, allows users to air their views on any issue without being prominent people who journalists project. ***
The new media has freed up the space for everyone to have a voice irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Digital media also delivers to every user the power to report (now everybody is a reporter of a sort). *** people recording live incidents instead of offering a helping hand sometimes.
But that has not eliminated the job of professional journalists who report accurately, confirming claims, bringing perspectives, and digging deep into issues being reported.
As professional reporters, we still hold the ace!
How powerful is the new media?
With about 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the most popular social network in the world.
My comment: No legacy media has that number – CNN, BBC, New York Times, Aljazeera, The Nation, Punch, NTA, Channels TV etc
Statista.com puts internet users in Nigeria in 2021 as averagely 102 million, estimating it to grow to 143 million by 2026.
Internet penetration in the year was put at 51% with a projection of growth to 59% in 2026. That will be conveniently over 100 million Nigerians.
Even at that, I believe that the data is conservative.
Conservatively speaking, 31,860,000 Nigerians have been using Facebook in 2022, according to populationreview.com
In Nigeria, Facebook accounts for 74.8% of total social media usage in the country. Twitter is 12.06 and Instagram 5.84. YouTube is 2.82% of users according to gs.statcounter.com in its February 2022 social media statistics.
Statista.com puts the number of social media user in Nigerian in the third quarter of 2020 at roughly 28 million. Of the number, WhatsApp users were 93%, Facebook 86%, YouTube 81%, Instagram 73%, FB messenger 67%, Twitter 61% and Telegram 57%.
These users are aged 16 to 64 years.
Personal comment: The number should be higher given internet penetration and the shift of personal, group and organizational communication to social media as additional layer of communication/interaction, easy access, timeliness and flexibility.
Most people in urban areas in Nigeria use social media.
NB: Users of social media in Nigeria cut across ages, social strata and locations (rural & urban) unlike traditional media whose audiences are largely segmented.
Nigerian media
There is no doubt that the Nigeria media has a good grip of digital media as outlets now largely run successful online news publishing with effective new media presence
Nigerian journalists can leverage on the social responsibility and framing theories to achieve this on digital media platforms.
A good example has been shown in Rwanda where journalists deliberately joined in the efforts of reconstructing the country by framing contents in ways that promote government’s efforts and positive attitude to the country.
Karen McIntye and Megan Sobel explained this in their 2017 paper entitled ‘Reconstructing Rwanda.’
Ref: Karen McIntyre and Megan Sobel (2017), Journalism Studies, DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2017.1326834
But, is this assignment of using new media to foster national integration that of journalists? No and Yes.
Why No
People in government are voted partly for this purpose. It is the reason that their swearing-in includes the oath of allegiance to the constitution of FRN and the pledge to defend it in all circumstances. That’s their job!
Only a united and peaceful Nigeria is governable for elected officials, hence they must deliberately promote integration and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
Why Yes
Nigerian journalists are Nigerian citizens. A united and peaceful country is good for all.
As journalists, we also have the responsibility to frame our contents and promote contents to foster national integration. Aside reporting issues, Nigerian journalists are also affected by incidents and challenges in the country, at personal, family and community levels. The social responsibility theory impressed it on us to be socially responsible in the discharge of our duties.
Why national integration?
Nigeria is a multiethnic and multilingual country. There are over 300 languages spoken in Nigeria, translating to similar number of ethnic groups.
In countries such as Nigeria, mutual suspicion, feeling of oppression and dominance by certain ethnic groups pervade the polity. Though Hausa, Fulani, Itsekiri, Ibibios, Yoruba, Igbo, Urhobo and Ijaw work and live together in communities peacefully, ethnic and religious cards are strongly played when taking decisions on positions of leadership, particularly political leadership, leadership in government agencies and in communal groups and associations.
Some people also build stereotype against certain ethnic groups based on behaviour of certain members of the ethnic or religious group which makes them take a negative stance against people of such group.
All these are undercurrents that largely influence the choice of candidates for leadership in politics, governance, religious and associations despite the peaceful coexistence in small communities and few inter-marriages. The example of the 2018-2021 ravaging of southern Nigeria by kidnappers and armed robbers who were believed to be of Fulani stock is relevant here. The criminal cases in southern Nigeria instigated feeling of hatred, negative attitude and stereotype views against all Fulani, and President Muhammadu Buhari.
Governments at all levels, therefore, need to acknowledge this challenge and identify its solution as a pathway to a better Nigeria.
How?
Ministries of Infomation, Orientation & Culture should be empowered to undertake strategic communication campaigns on efforts to foster national integration such as highlighting the good aspects of each culture, the beauty of working and building Nigeria together, some outstanding efforts at all levels such as offering jobs to non-indigenes, inter-ethnic marriages and excellent achievements of non-natives in some communities. There should also be deliberate campaigns to challenge stereotype views, and deliberate promotion of equity, fairness and Justice to all irrespective of circumstances.
The new media is a perfect channel to deliver such messages because they can reach more people, on different devices, in various locations and in different languages that they speak.
Skits makers are doing a fantastic jobs on YouTube and TikTok. Government can tap them as useful resources to promote national integration. Musicians and other artistes are great resources waiting to be tapped for this purpose.
Short videos about people from different ethnic groups forging true friendships and celebrating business, political and marital successes will be an interesting watch.
New media can be used to promote understanding, mobilize the citizenry toward developing and sustaining patriotism, and promote national integration.
But the policies should be first well articulated and well communicated such that citizens see that they are aimed at their interests.
The citizenry must not have a high level of distrust as we have in Nigeria due to failure to meet expectations and obvious character failures of political leaders.
And, national integration should not be statutorily hindered by institutional brickwalls.
Nigeria is missing this opportunity.
When last did you see a content like this on any of the digital media?
Whereas, former US President Donald Trump used Twitter to mobilize followership so effectively that he instigated insurrection. You remember that Twitter suspended his account?
He has since built his own social medium having realized the power and influence of the new media.
Nigerian governments at all levels are missing this opportunity despite the huge number of citizens and other residents using the new media.
I think now is the time to embrace this practical solution pathway.
Long Live Nigeria!
