THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA N POLITICS AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

INTRODUCTION

Social media acts as an amplifier due to its potential to bring out remarkable results, engage and connect with a wide range of audience. Therefore, the government is quite aware of the significance of social media in bringing about favorable outcomes and results. Politics and media are inextricably linked as a result of the crucial and integral role played by the media in the entire governmental process.

In times of crisis, the government uses social media as an avenue to control the situation and regulate public anxiety. For instance, the government used social media to disseminate reliable information during the Covid-19 outbreak, in order to curtail the spread of false information.Also, social media enables representatives to interact with their constituents, and this fosters credibility and trust. Through these interactions, leaders are able to have a better understanding of their electorates and also share political ideas.

Moreover, the social media is beneficial to politicians because it helps them to be well informed on current events in the nation and problems impacting the people in the community.It is also of great benefit to the public because it serves as an opportunity to engage in political discourse, debate on controversial issues and share opinions or ideas on critical matters that affect the country. Hence, itgenerates a sense of belonging among the people because they are able to create discussions with leaders, get feedbacks and participate in the political activities of the nation through the social.

Conclusion

The new media is particularly helpful during political campaigns because it costs the candidates little to nothing to carry out their political agendas and effectively reach the public.Social media interactions with voters may humanize candidates and foster a sense of connection among both parties. It also serves as an avenue for representatives to understand and connect with the young electorates or youths in order to know what plans to undertake that will draw their attention and participation in the election.In addition, candidates can easily and quickly solicit funds for their political campaign from the public. The new media helps to increase candidate’s visibility, and the more visible a candidate is, the greater the likelihood of winning. Hence, only representatives whose political activities are completely known or understood by the electorates get their votes. This shows that new media plays an essential role in promoting the politics in Nigeria.

NAME: Ferguson Naa-Ayeley 

STATE CODE: OS/22C/1635