Politicization of Hate and Weaponization of Twitter/X in a Polarized Digital Space in Nigeria

IF 1.1 4区社会学 Q2 AREA STUDIES

Journal of Asian and African Studies Pub Date : 2024-02-17 DOI:10.1177/00219096241230500

Abdulhameed Olaitan Ridwanullah, Sulaiman Ya’u Sule, Bashiru Usman, Lauratu Umar Abdulsalam

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Hate speech on social media platforms during electioneering campaign has been institutionalized. The campaign hate-filled rhetoric continues unabated. Some have attributed this phenomenon to access to social media. This study therefore investigates the prevalence of hate speech on Twitter in Nigeria. Twitter API was used to generate data that was later content analyzed. Anchored on the technological determinism theory, the study revealed political periods saw the prevalence of hate speech and political, ethnic, religion and regional-based hate speech are the dominant themes on hate discourse on Twitter. Some regions in Nigeria weaponized Twitter to denigrate others while others used it to promote their agitation but in the process also resort to hate speech. The study argued that Twitter is just a technology in the hand of hate-filled people who used it to promote their bigotry and bile. This study recommends the development of a legal framework for the regulation of hate speech on social media. Also, the utterance of politicians must be guarded, and the electoral acts must be fully implemented.

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尼日利亚两极分化的数字空间中仇恨的政治化和 Twitter/X 的武器化

竞选期间社交媒体平台上的仇恨言论已经制度化。充满仇恨的竞选言论有增无减。一些人将这一现象归因于社交媒体的使用。因此，本研究调查了尼日利亚 Twitter 上仇恨言论的流行情况。研究使用 Twitter API 生成数据，随后对数据进行内容分析。研究以技术决定论为基础，揭示了政治时期仇恨言论的盛行，政治、种族、宗教和地区仇恨言论是 Twitter 上仇恨言论的主导主题。尼日利亚的一些地区将 Twitter 作为诋毁他人的武器，而另一些地区则利用 Twitter 来促进其煽动活动，但在此过程中也会诉诸仇恨言论。研究认为，Twitter 只是充满仇恨的人手中的一种技术，他们利用 Twitter 来宣扬他们的偏执和恶意。这项研究建议制定一个法律框架，对社交媒体上的仇恨言论进行监管。同时，必须对政治家的言论加以防范，并充分执行选举法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Asian and African Studies AREA STUDIES-

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

10.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Asian and African Studies (JAAS) was founded in 1965 to further research and study on Asia and Africa. JAAS is a peer reviewed journal of area studies recognised for consistent scholarly contributions to cutting-edge issues and debates. The journal welcomes articles, research notes, and book reviews that focus on the dynamics of global change and development of Asian and African nations, societies, cultures, and the global community. Published articles cover: -development and change -technology and communication -globalization -public administration -politics -economy -education -health, wealth, and welfare -poverty and growth -humanities -sociology -political science -linguistics -economics JAAS adheres to a double-blind reviewing policy in which the identity of both the reviewer and author are always concealed from both parties. Decisions on manuscripts will be taken as rapidly as possible. However, while it is hoped that a decision can be made in 6-8 weeks, the refereeing process makes it impossible to predict the length of time that will be required to process any given manuscript.