An Appraisal of Citizen Journalism in Democracy and Good Governance: Focus on EndSars Protest in Nigeria.
- January 31, 2022
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Mass Communication, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue I, January 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Dr. Chiakaan, Gbaden Jacob1, Kaigama, Kwapsoni Pius2, Kpera, Wombu Richard3, Tsokwa, Blessing Solomon4
1Department of Public Relations, Taraba State University, Jalingo.
2Department of Mass Communication, Taraba State Polytechnic, Jalingo.
3Department of Mass Communication, Taraba State Polytechnic, Jalingo,
Taraba State, Nigeria.
4Department of Broadcasting, Taraba State University, Jalingo.
Abstract
This study is entitled: “An Appraisal of Citizen Journalism in Democracy and Good Governance: Focus on EndSars Protest in Nigeria.” The aim of the study is to appraise the role of citizens Journalism in democracy and good governance with a special focus on EndSars protest in Nigeria. Anchored on the democratic participant media theory which is concerned about individual citizen’s right to access to the media. The study, incline to the quantitative approach, adopts the survey design method with data were collected through the instrument of a questionnaire which was administered on 150 respondents in Nigeria using simple random sampling method. Findings from the study reveals that citizens journalism contributed to the success of the EndSars protest in Nigeria through different ways such as constant posting of information about the protest, creating awareness about the protest, setting agenda for public discussion in the media and telling Nigerians how the government and the police have failed. Findings further reveals that through sharing of pictures and video clips of victims of police brutality, exposing atrocities committed by members of the Sars group, encouraging Nigerians on the need for police reform and encouraging Nigerians on the need to EndSars and police brutality made many citizens all over the country to join the protest. The study concludes that Citizen Journalism has become an essential part of modern-day society because it has given voice to the voiceless especially in a diversified society like Nigeria. It therefore, recommends the convention media to encourage and train the citizen journalists who can be an asset to them.
Key Words: Citizen Journalism, Democracy, Good Governance, EndSars and Government
Introduction
The birth of new technology (internet) has brought about transformation in every face of human endeavour. The way and manner people relate and interact with one another in the technological age has changed dramatically. Unlike in the olden days where information take days or even weeks to get across a large population, now information can be past across within the twinkle of an eye, through the use of internet. The new media make information sharing to be faster, easier and especially through the social networking site such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, people interact within and among themselves at their comfort without any barrier or hindrance.
According to Nwabueze (2014, p.170) social media concept refers to a 21st century phenomenon brought about the advent of the internet and World Wide Web. Nwabueze further posits that the social media are interactive web-based media which engage key players in a communication channel in defining and determining the message content. The interactive media allow users to share ideas, activities, events and interests within their individual network (Okunna and Omenuga, 2012). These interactions have made people to become news or information carries. They share information of events and happenings within and outside their environment which borders on human interest and others concerns. This practice of people gathering and reporting information is termed as citizen journalism.
