When Freedom of Expression Goes Awry on Social Media: An Analysis of Comments on Naij.Com in the Run-Up to the 2015 Presidential Elections in Nigeria
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Date
2017
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Global Journal f Human-Social Science
Abstract
This paper carefully analyzed public comments on Naij.com facebook page with the
goal to expose the direction in which the comments of social media users followed in their bid to
show support and canvass votes for their preferred candidates in the run-up to the 2015
presidential elections. Although the traditional media were perceived to have carried more venom
in their campaign advertisements and commentaries, this study focused on whether or not social
media users abused their freedom of expression on the facebook platform, and whether tribal
sentiment determined the direction of comments. The findings revealed that facebook users
posted abusive comments on Naij.com news page, but posted more comments endorsing
candidates of their choice, followed by comments rejecting candidates they did not want. Tribal
sentiment clearly reflected in the direction of comments, which finally played out in the outcome
of the presidential election results