Social Media Reportage of Road Infrastructure and Government Interventions in Road Construction and Maintenance in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The emergence of social media has ushered in a new era of information dissemination which allows everybody the opportunity to participate and contribute opinions and views on public issues. Social media is Internet-based software and interfaces that allow individuals to interact with one another, exchange details about their lives such as biographical data, professional information, personal photos and up-to the minute thoughts. Just as the conventional traditional media like newspaper, radio and television are used to communicate development issues, social media has also become a tool for development communication. This study investigated role of social media in enhancing the development of road infrastructure in South East Nigeria. The study employed critical literature review method. It was anchored on Development Media Theory. Two research questions guided the investigation. Findings show that social media reportage makes the government aware of the state of roads in South East Nigeria, this makes the government to intervene in the repair of bad roads in South East Nigeria. The paper recommends that users of social media should intensify reports on the state of bad roads in South East Nigeria in order to draw more government attention; social media users should balance their reports of bad roads and good roads to encourage the government to do more.