Abstract submission
Sub theme: Social
Media and Citizen Journalism
By
Dr. Michael A. Kombol and Mr. John O. Ogi
Photographs
taken during the Makurdi flood disaster were not restricted to professional
journalists. The floods were indeed a
spectacle to behold as it attracted crowds of watchers on a daily basis. They not only watched but took photographs on
mobile phones and digital cameras which were uploaded and shared on social
networks such as Facebook, Twitter, 2go, etc. This study examines the content (subject) of photographs
taken during the September 2012 flood in Makurdi; why the photographs were
uploaded on social media (instead of traditional (mainstream media) and; the
kinds of comment the photographs generated once they were posted on social
media. Using a survey and content analysis, the study finds that the
photographs were mostly about the extent of damage, homelessness and human
suffering caused by the flood. Secondly, social media afford immediacy;
unlimited reach and absence of gatekeepers were the most compelling reasons for
uploading the photographs on social media. Comments posted pointed to the
insensitivity of government the plight of the citizens. Photographs from citizen journalists can save
journalists the trouble of sourcing pictures. Social media are often more
effective than mainstream media. The Nigerian government should be more
responsive to the plight of citizens during disasters.
By
Dr.
Michael A. Kombol
Dept of
Mass Comm,
Kogi
State University, Anyigba
Email: michael.kombol@gmail.com
Tel: +234 8068695906, 08076062606,
08022075771
Mr. John
O. Ogi,
Dept of
Mass Comm.
Benue
State University, Makurdi
Email: ogijohnliv@yahoo.com
Tel: +234 7035592020
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