Nigerian press under political siege: social media salvage of press freedom in Fani-Kayode versus Charles of Daily Trust

Abstract

Fani-Kayode versus Eyo Charles of Daily Trust saga compels research attention as it exhumed a new perspective to press struggle under political bondage in Nigeria. Nigerian journalists have been thrown into the towel on several occasions in the struggle to uphold press freedom as some were brutalised, molested, suppressed, bribed, or even intimidated with impunity while carrying out their democratic roles. The agitation not only for press freedom, the degree of independence that put the fourth estate of the realm on uninfluenced reportorial vantage but also a clear separation of media agenda power from politics of bankrolling beeps a light of redemption through social media rendition. Contents of mainstream and social media (Facebook, Twitter & YouTube) in the case of Fani-Kayode versus Charles were subjected to empirical analysis to test media efforts towards self-actualisation from political insubordinations. The data show that social media reign a significant influence on the salvage of press freedom taking “Who bankrolls your tour of states” tussle as a significant variable to compare the agenda and framing patterns the case under study enjoyed on social and mainstream media. The study found out that the media agenda might that recouped the press freedom from political intimidation and disparagement in the case under study was more than 90% social media strength. The mainstream media and their journalists got the inspiration for their belated actions from the battle already won through the social media agenda.