written by Mayowa Ogundele
Journalism
is the activity or profession of writing for newspapers or magazines or
of broadcasting news on radio or television while Social media refers
to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share,
exchange and comment on contents among themselves in virtual communities
and networks.
is the activity or profession of writing for newspapers or magazines or
of broadcasting news on radio or television while Social media refers
to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share,
exchange and comment on contents among themselves in virtual communities
and networks.
The impact of social media in the communication system cannot be
overemphasized as traditional media has undoubtedly taken an onward
progressive turn in achieving its core assignments of educating,
informing and entertaining its audience; the Nigerian populace.
overemphasized as traditional media has undoubtedly taken an onward
progressive turn in achieving its core assignments of educating,
informing and entertaining its audience; the Nigerian populace.
The consistent and goal-driven use of social media has filled the
interactive and investigative vacuum found in the traditional media in
Nigeria and the entire world. Hitherto this new age of journalism,
reporters were only able to practice the time-sensitive profession
within a certain constrained environment which permitted the Nigerian
journalist to find facts from physically available sources.
interactive and investigative vacuum found in the traditional media in
Nigeria and the entire world. Hitherto this new age of journalism,
reporters were only able to practice the time-sensitive profession
within a certain constrained environment which permitted the Nigerian
journalist to find facts from physically available sources.
Today, the Nigerian journalist can boast of new skills in news
gathering and better accuracy in reporting the opinion of the people.
Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Google + have been used to
monitor trends and gather intelligence in regards to the opinion of the
masses.
gathering and better accuracy in reporting the opinion of the people.
Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Google + have been used to
monitor trends and gather intelligence in regards to the opinion of the
masses.
Take for instance events which have garnered much attention as a
result of activities on social media. Thousands of Nigerians joined
Twitter during and after the subsidy protest (OccupyNigeria) of 2012,
the death of four UNIPORT students (ALUU4) caused a nationwide outcry
against ‘jungle justice,’ the video of a policeman caught extorting a
motorist went viral online and has now found its way into TV and radio.
result of activities on social media. Thousands of Nigerians joined
Twitter during and after the subsidy protest (OccupyNigeria) of 2012,
the death of four UNIPORT students (ALUU4) caused a nationwide outcry
against ‘jungle justice,’ the video of a policeman caught extorting a
motorist went viral online and has now found its way into TV and radio.
These events were either instigated or projected online as a result of
the use of social media platforms by those who witnessed and shared the
details.
the use of social media platforms by those who witnessed and shared the
details.
The ability of the social media to breed interactivity has caused the
audience to exit its passive shell and enter into a new sphere of
activity. This has helped in a number of other sectors in the economy;
most especially politics and education. Worthy of note is the fact that
social media has helped traditional media to gain its lost audience
(youths).
audience to exit its passive shell and enter into a new sphere of
activity. This has helped in a number of other sectors in the economy;
most especially politics and education. Worthy of note is the fact that
social media has helped traditional media to gain its lost audience
(youths).
With the rise in social media usage, Nigerian youths, who scarcely
subscribed to the print media, have now cultivated a healthy habit of
keeping abreast of events in the country.
subscribed to the print media, have now cultivated a healthy habit of
keeping abreast of events in the country.
Social media has impacted Nigerian journalism in the area of reporting
as new features i-reports which allows individuals report events in
real time in any case where an official correspondent is not on ground.
as new features i-reports which allows individuals report events in
real time in any case where an official correspondent is not on ground.
The integration of social media in news gathering and delivery has
also enabled the Nigerian journalist to work in a capacity that totally
erases the restrictions of distance. Today, interviews are conducted via
email correspondence, Twitter conversations, Skype video chats etc.
also enabled the Nigerian journalist to work in a capacity that totally
erases the restrictions of distance. Today, interviews are conducted via
email correspondence, Twitter conversations, Skype video chats etc.
Breaking News! This feature has been redefined since the advent of
social media in Nigerian journalism. Journalists can now break news as
they happen with supporting files such as pictures taken and posted
alongside headlines.
social media in Nigerian journalism. Journalists can now break news as
they happen with supporting files such as pictures taken and posted
alongside headlines.
Live broadcasts have been made possible online via web streaming. In
most cases, the audience is able to participate and give feedback via
the comments section which allows the reporter access to instant
feedback.
most cases, the audience is able to participate and give feedback via
the comments section which allows the reporter access to instant
feedback.
The World Wide Web evolves daily; so does the social media. This means
traditional media will yet experience even more changes and growth in
times to come.
traditional media will yet experience even more changes and growth in
times to come.
Written by Mayowa Ogundele, an online journalist, creative writer and aspiring broadcaster. Follow her via Twitter @Ohluwamayowa and Google+, Mayowa Ogundele.