Keyword : Influence, Social Media, Bloodbath, Conflict Resolution.
Author(s) : Josephine Osatohanmwen Adeyeye, PhD•; Adédèjì Fred Aríjeníwà & Emeke Precious Nwaoboli
Abstract :
This study provides an in-depth examination of the influence of social media on Benin City residents' perception of the 2024 Okuama bloodbath in Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to establish the extent of awareness of Benin residents about the Okuama bloodbath. To ascertain the channels through which they were exposed to information about the event, and evaluate how social media influenced their perception of the incident. The researchers employed a survey research design, using a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. A total of 384 respondents were sampled from Benin City, with a response rate of 96.6% (n=371). The respondents comprised individuals aged 18-65, residing in Benin City, and who had access to social media platforms. Data analysis revealed that a substantial majority of respondents (65%) reported a high or very high level of awareness about the Okuama bloodbath. This finding suggests that the event received significant attention from the public, and that Benin City residents were well-informed about the incident. Social media was found to be the primary source of information for over half of the respondents (55%), with WhatsApp (30%) and Facebook (25%) being the most frequently used social media platforms for exposure to information about the Okuama bloodbath. The researchers found that social media played a significant role in shaping public perception, with a majority of respondents (75%) believing that social media effectively raised awareness about the Okuama bloodbath. Social media was seen as instrumental in mobilizing support and aid for the affected community, with 85% of respondents agreeing to its positive impact. However, the spread of misinformation on social media was also identified as a major concern, with 80% of respondents acknowledging its exacerbating effect on the conflict. The study's findings have significant implications for crisis communication, highlighting the importance of social media in shaping public perception during crises. The researchers recommend enhancing the use of official and verified social media channels, implementing media literacy campaigns, and collaborating with social media platforms to flag and remove harmful content. Through adopting these strategies, stakeholders can harness the power of social media to promote constructive engagement, mitigate the spread of misinformation, and facilitate effective crisis communication. Furthermore, it was recommended that social media platforms can play a critical role in promoting peace and stability during crises through providing a platform for dialogue and information dissemination on social media, which can help to reduce tensions, promote understanding, and facilitate conflict resolution. However, this requires responsible use of social media, and stakeholders must be aware of the potential risks and challenges associated with social media use during crises.
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