BY YEMI
OLAKITAN
Information technology is changing the face of
media practice and journalism in the world today. Nigeria is not left behind.
The increasing impacts of new media in the dissemination of information has
given room to an increase in both professional and amateur journalism. Yemi Olakitan
examines the pros and cons of this on Mass Communication practice.
Today, the
media is not limited to the radio, television and print alone. The Internet has
created whole new platforms for the dissemination of news and information
within minutes. With the click of a button, news and information can be posted
on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, a blog or a website and the world can become
aware of this recent development instantaneously. This new media makes use of
videos, audios, and pictures and can disseminate information faster than any
newspaper or television house.
Things are
no longer the same for traditional forms of media in the world and Nigeria
since global attention is now on Internet reportage of news and events. All
over the world, people want to see or read the news on the Internet. The
Internet has consolidated itself as a very powerful platform that has changed
the way the world communicates. No other communication medium has given a
“Globalized” dimension to the world like the Internet.
It is the
Universal source of information for millions of people, at home, at school, and
work, and it is the most democratic of all the mass media. With a very low
investment, anyone can have a web page on the Internet; almost anybody can reach
a very large audience directly, fast and economically, no matter the size or
location.
The upsurge
in the use of the Internet has also given rise to new media platforms, which
have become increasingly popular. Leading global news networks such as BBC and
CNN now replay clips of a non-professional eyewitness account of events taken
from either YouTube or Twitter. Today, a media organization without an online
presence is a huge local champion.
The
popularity of social networking sites among Nigerians, both young and old has
made it necessary for media organizations to make their presence felt on the
Internet or they may soon be wiped out by competing brands. It is not
surprising that nearly all the major media houses in Nigeria have created
flamboyant websites with social networking sites to complement them. Smarter
media organizations are also making use of blogs, YouTube and many other tools
to make their presence more pronounced. Today, it is possible to read an entire
Nigerian newspaper online.
In some
cases, Internet advertising revenue is competing favourably with traditional
adverts placements. US Facebook guru, Joe Trippi, said there are two million
Nigerians on Facebook and that number is increasing and this is out of the 400
million worldwide.
The Internet
has given room to a new form of media freedom in information dissemination that
has not been seen some few years ago. Nigerians can post information faster
than an average journalist could send an article for production. The recent
mass protests of the oil subsidy removal had many users of twitters sharing
pictures of dead or dying protesters. Many Nigerians entered into meaningful
discussions on the subjects of corruption, police brutality, comparing figures
and statistics on Facebook and posting comments. The impacts of the new media
have never been felt like this before.
News
coverage of the demonstrations by traditional media has also been criticized.
Many Nigerians covered the protests themselves through social media tools.
Nigerians no longer rely on government-owned media such as the National
Television Authority, NTA which often broadcasts content that favour the
sitting government. Today, Nigerians post their videos on YouTube and inform
friends on Facebook, Twitter or Skype. When armed robbers attacked a luxury bus
about a year ago and passengers were made to lie on the highway and trucks ran
over them. The police denied the incident. Days later, pictures of the horror were
posted on YouTube for all to see.
Even,
President Goodluck Jonathan has not speared the use of Facebook. A book, “My
Friends and I,’’ chronicling numerous discussions on national issues, which the
president had with Nigerians on Facebook, was published in 2011. The President
was reported to have confessed that such discussions have often influenced some
of the decisions he has taken on various national issues. Far from being a tool
for mere social networking, Facebook and Twitter are increasingly competing
with traditional media in the dissemination of news and information.
Although
some Nigerian journalists still regard social networking sites as a place to
make friends and meet people, many are using such sites for professional
networking in the practice of journalism. In many countries of the world where
press freedom is lacking new media has come to the rescue since it often cannot
be silenced by draconian government decrees. Journalists have embraced
blogging, preferring to upload their stories and pictures online.
Many have
become their editor and sub-editor, creating a robust online presence that
often attracts readers and advertisers alike. The need for deploying these
tools for instantaneous news coverage has never been more urgent in Nigeria.
Nigerians reporting corruption, insecurity, police brutality, and journalists
can operate without fear using New Media. Global news reporting has been made
easier with the use of new media tools since journalists network faster than
ever before from one part of the world to another. It is easier for journalists
to get information, quotes and interviews through Twitter, Facebook or
Skype. Although some journalists still
acquire camera and digital voice recorders, mobile phones are been used for
professional news reporting and coverage.
However,
social media can spread false information about the government and individuals
as well. False Messages can circulate; often feeding a rumour that can be
completely untrue. Hackers have been reported to hack government websites,
including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. (EFCC) Social media
will continue to play a major role in news and discussions, despite low
incomes, as Nigeria has the continent’s top mobile phone market and the largest
online audience in Africa.
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