ACCESS, USAGE AND DEPENDENCE OF TWITTER AS A MEANS OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: AISHA BUHARI & AMINU SAGA

Abstract

Proliferation of new media platforms offers people in Nigeria and across the world the opportunity to use these platforms to communicate and share their feelings and opinions on any matter of interest. Researchers and scholars in communication, media studies and law have enquired on what constitutes freedom of information and expression and how it can be attained. Findings of various scholars have elicited diverse positions to the effect that what one considers freedom of expression is sometimes regarded as infringement on the right of another. This paper interrogates access, usage and dependency of Twitter as a means of freedom of expression in Aisha Buhari and Aminu Mohammed Saga. The paper gained support from Technology Determinism and Uses and Gratification theories as framework and discourse analysis research design was adopted. Explanation method was used to analyze data gathered qualitatively. This paper found out that the power of Twitter as a platform for sending and receiving of feedback on social and political issues among users cannot be overemphasized. The paper concludes and underscores the potency of indigenous language as a valid and reliable means of expression in constructive criticism and discussions that are relevant to the development of society.