Fourth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

Advancements in information and communication technologies have seriously impacted electioneering campaigns globally. This was evidenced when the former United States President Barack Obama deployed digital media as campaign tools in his 2008 presidential election. In Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan also deployed them in his 2011 presidential election. Today, digital media have become prominent communication tools through which politicians and political parties solicit votes from the electorate. Much as digital media have been found useful for reaching electorate, thus widening the democratic space, serious issues have been raised regarding the manner of political messages that are communicated through these less regulated media options. Such caveats have also raised concerns regarding the future of nascent democracies like Nigeria’s. Therefore, this study seeks answers to following questions: To what extent are digital media a blessing to the future of Nigeria’s democracy? To what extent are they a curse? What can be done to make digital media contribute to the advancements of democracy in Nigeria? What is the relationship between digital media and democratic participation? This study will explore these issues within the theoretical framework of uses and gratification theory using survey as the approach of the study. The outcome will contribute to our understanding of the impact of digital media on the future of democracy in Africa and the world at large.