Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Legitimizing State Control: President Tinubu’s Discourse on Social Media Regulation

Rosemary Ede

Abstract

This paper undertakes a critical discourse analysis of President Bola Tinubu's pronouncements on social media, specifically his characterization of it as a "menace" necessitating regulation. Applying Fairclough's three-dimensional model of CDA, the analysis reveals how Tinubu constructs a threat narrative, portraying social media as undermining truth and national unity. This narrative is supported by his assertion of epistemic authority, positioning himself as the arbiter of "truth" and legitimizing government intervention. Furthermore, the discourse mobilizes nationalistic sentiment, framing regulation as a patriotic duty. This study exposes the underlying power dynamics and ideological agendas driving the push for social media regulation in Nigeria, highlighting potential risks to freedom of expression and democratic participation. By analyzing the interplay of language, power, and technology, this research contributes to debates on online governance, free speech, and the balance between public good and individual freedoms in the digital age.

Keywords

social mediamenacepolitical languagefree speech

References

Adeyanju, O., & Oriola, T. (2021). Social media as a catalyst for political mobilization: The role of Twitter and other platforms in the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. Journal of African Political Studies, 30(2), 45-67. Akanle, O., Akin, D., & Ojo, A. (2019). The impact of social media on public opinion in Nigeria: The role of misinformation. Nigerian Journal of Social Studies, 28(3), 123-145. Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 211-236. Akinwotu, E. (2020). The #EndSARS movement and the role of social media in Nigerian protests. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/20/nigeria-end- sars- protests-social-media Balogun, M., Ojo, F., & Eze, B. (2021). The role of social media in misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Journal of Media Studies, 12(1), 78-92. Fairclough, N. (2001). Language and power (2nd ed.). Pearson Education. Fairclough, N. (2003). Analysing discourse: Textual analysis for social research. Routledge. McIntyre, L. (2018). Post-truth. MIT Press. Olayiwola, A. (2021). Social media as a political tool in Nigeria: Impacts and challenges. African Political Review, 15(4), 34-56. Obadare, E. (2016). Social media and the public sphere in Nigeria. Journal of African Media Studies, 8(2), 145-161. Oloyede, I., & Aluko, M. (2020). Social media and political engagement in Nigeria. Journal of Digital Politics, 5(2), 99-113. Oriola, T. (2022). The post-truth phenomenon in Nigeria’s political discourse. Nigerian Political Science Review, 8(1), 112-127. Uwalaka, C., & Watkins, A. (2018). Regulating social media in Nigeria: The quest for stability and control. International Journal of Digital Governance, 22(3), 50-67. Van Dijk, T. (2008). Discourse and power. Sage Publications. Wodak, R. (2011). The discourse of politics in action: Politics as usual. Palgrave Macmillan.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES