AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF ANTI SOCIAL MEDIA BILL: A CASE STUDY OF OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT

The study is focused on examining Audience perception of anti social media bill, using Oredo LGA, Edo state as a study'. The objectives of the research were to ascertain the perception of residence of Oredo LGA towards the proposed bill and to determine the level of acceptance of the anti social media bill amongst residence of Oredo local government area. The survey research method was used to gather the data used for the study. Findings of the study revealed that the respondents are aware of the anti social media bill and they believe that the bill is against the freedom of speech and expression. The findings indicated that there is a relationship between the anti social media bill and other repressive media laws in Nigeria. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that the audience perception of the social media bill is anti social and against the freedom of speech and expression. Hence, the researcher recommended among other things that the government should understand and appreciate the importance of freedom of the mass media and social media users should respect the freedom given to them.