Social Media and the Management of Ethno-Religious Conflicts: Stakeholders’ Perspectives

Authors

  • Hajara Umar Sanda Bayero University Kano, Kano State
  • Tordue Simon Targema Taraba State University, Jalingo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26740/jsm.v6n1.p232-256

Keywords:

Social Media, Stakeholders, Conflict Management, Ethno-Religious Conflicts, and Taraba State

Abstract

This study examines the utilization of social media to manage ethno-religious conflicts in Taraba State, Nigeria with specific attention to the nature of stories on the platforms on ethno-religious conflicts, how they affect the process of conflict management and the opportunities/threats which the platforms portend to conflict management. Pegged on the Technology Acceptance Model, the study adopts in-depth interview and qualitative content analysis of social media posts as research designs. Population comprises stakeholders engaged in managing ethno-religious conflicts in the state- traditional rulers, religious leaders, leaders of socio-cultural associations and information personnel of security agencies. Eleven respondents have been purposively sampled based on their perceived relevance to conflict management. Facebook posts on conflicts in the state have also been qualitatively analysed to back up the interviews. Findings reveal that social media possess both positive and negative traits in terms of conflict management, and some of the stakeholders utilize them for conflict management while some do not, due largely to their perceptions of the platforms. The study demonstrates that social media have potentials that are vital to conflict management, concomitant with numerous defects, hence, caution must be applied with mitigation strategies adopted while utilizing them to manage conflicts for more impact.

Author Biographies

Hajara Umar Sanda, Bayero University Kano, Kano State

Dr Hajara Umar Sanda is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

Tordue Simon Targema, Taraba State University, Jalingo

TORDUE SIMON TARGEMA teaches in the department of Mass Communication, Taraba State University Jalingo. Currently, he holds M.Sc. in Mass Communication at the Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. He is the Publication Secretary, TSU Journal of Communication and Media Studies, co-authors several articles in pear reviewed journals both local and international, and has contributed book chapters to reputable book series such as the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and the Lapai Democracy Series. Currently, his works are under review for consideration with the African Journalism Studies (AJS), and the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE). He has presented papers at six academic conferences in Nigeria, and is a full time member of both the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE). His research interests include the new media, media and conflict management in multi-ethnic societies, media and society, and film studies.

References

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Published

2022-04-30

How to Cite

Sanda, H. U., & Targema, T. S. (2022). Social Media and the Management of Ethno-Religious Conflicts: Stakeholders’ Perspectives. The Journal of Society and Media, 6(1), 232–256. https://doi.org/10.26740/jsm.v6n1.p232-256
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