Pasha 35: How WhatsApp played a role in the Nigerian elections
The Conversation
12 Sep 2019, 00:37 GMT+10
WhatsApp is one of the world's most popular social media platforms. The messaging app is encrypted so it's safer to share messages there than on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. It also notorious for the spread of fake news. But it's also used for good. In the run-up to Nigeria's 2019 election, for instance, the platform was used to spread fake news - but it was also used for campaigning and communicating with potential voters.
In this episode of Pasha Nic Cheeseman, a professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham, explores WhatsApp and its role in Nigeria's elections. He also discusses how governments should embrace technologies like WhatsApp, promoting digital literacy so people can be more discerning readers.
Read more: WhatsApp played a big role in the Nigerian election. Not all of it was bad
Photo: Photo by Gregade A man casting his vote at a polling unit in Idiko-Ile during the 23rd February, 2019 Presidential Election in Nigeria. Shutterstock
Music "Happy African Village" by John Bartmann found on FreeMusicArchive.org licensed under CC0 1.
Authors: Ozayr Patel - Digital Editor | Nic Cheeseman - Professor of Democracy, University of Birmingham 
Subscribe and Follow
Get a daily dose of Beijing Bulletin news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
News RELEASES
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Beijing Bulletin.
More Information
3
℃
Honey Science Corp to be bought by PayPal
SAN JOSE, California - PayPal Holdings says it has agreed to acquire Honey Science Corporation, a rapidly-growing technology platform for ...
Chinese rural sector to benefit from ADB and Alibaba tie-up
BEIJING, China - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Alibaba are joining forces to support China's rural vitalization plan.ADB Vice-President ...
Contract to deliver high speed Internet access in rural areas signed
DUBLIN, Ireland - The Irish government on Tuesday signed a contract to implement its National Broadband plan.The contract, which will ...
Reprieve for Chinese telco Huawei, new 90-day waiver
WASHINGTON, DC - Clients and customers of Huawei in the United States have been given another reprieve lasting for ninety ...
On TV, political ads are regulated - but online, anything goes
With the 2020 election just a year away, Facebook is under fire from presidential candidates, lawmakers, civil rights groups and ...
Curious Kids: why does wood crackle in a fire?
Hi Rocco, that's a great question. I love sitting in front of a fire, listening to it crackle and pop.These ...
U.S. and international investors dump stocks
NEW YORK, New York - Global stock markets continued their retreat on Thursday. There was little enthusiasm for discussion on ...
Chao approves co-operation agreement between four global airlines
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao has given final approval to joint venture involving Delta Air Lines, ...
Asian stock markets open flood-gates to sellers
SYDNEY, Australia - Stock markets in Asia spent Thursday selling off with major exchanges closing with solid losses.In Japan, the ...
Honey Science Corp to be bought by PayPal
SAN JOSE, California - PayPal Holdings says it has agreed to acquire Honey Science Corporation, a rapidly-growing technology platform for ...
Emirates commits to 30 Boeing 787s at Dubai Air Show
DUBAI, UAE - One of the busiest and more travelled airlines in the world has placed an $8.8 billion order ...
U.S. markets decline in line with global slide
NEW YORK, New York - Sellers continued to dominate on Wall Street on Wednesday as prospects for a U.S. trade ...
