Engaging New Media Effects for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: Issues, Prospects and Challenges
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Date
2014-05-25
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Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on International Studies (ICIS) 2014
Abstract
The problem of complexity in Nigerian politics and the weakness of social cohesion constitute a great
clog to Nigeria’s socio political and economic development. The emergence of new media such as
internet, Facebook and YouTube with their quantum leap in information flow has impacted greatly on the
political landscape bridging the hitherto wide information gap between government and the governed in
Nigeria. This paper examines the theoretical basis for new media, using a descriptive analytical method,
and tries to rationalize the link between new media and the quest for democratic consolidation. The paper
will also examine the inherent challenges using Nigeria’s experience and will critically examine the
dominant arguments amongst new media analysts of its sufficiency in entrenching democracy. It suggests
a multi pronged approach to tackling the pervasive nature of poverty the unbridled level of corruption in
governance and the challenge of terrorism in the country. These will engender an atmosphere for a
robust engagement between government, business sector and civil society entities leading to produce new
media effects for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.