PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTS ON POLICE BRUTALITY IN IMO STATE

TOPIC: PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTS ON POLICE BRUTALITY IN IMO STATE

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1-Mass Communication
2-Sociology
3-Criminology and Security Studies
This research material contains:
1-Chapter One to Five
2-Recent References/citations
3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four
4-Accurate Data Analysis
5-Table of Contents
6-Questionnare

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine public perception of social media reports on police brutality in Imo State, with geographical scope restricted to Owerri, Imo State. The study was specifically carried out to assess the level of public exposure to social media reports on police brutality among residents of Imo State, examine the credibility attributed to social media reports on police brutality by residents of Imo State, determine the influence of social media police brutality reports on public perception of the police in Imo State, and assess the perceived influence of social media police brutality reports on public trust and confidence in the police. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 401,873 adult residents of Owerri, Imo State who were exposed to social media platforms and had access to information relating to police brutality. A total of 400 respondents were selected as sample size using multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods, while 385 copies of questionnaire were validated and used for analysis. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The research questions were analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation, while the hypotheses were tested using Pearson Chi-square statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that residents of Owerri had high exposure to social media reports on police brutality with grand mean of 3.26. The study also showed that social media reports on police brutality were perceived to be credible with grand mean of 3.19. Likewise, the study further revealed that social media reports on police brutality significantly influenced public perception of the police with r = 0.712, t = 19.86, P = 0.018. The study also established that social media reports on police brutality significantly influenced public trust and confidence in the police with r = 0.695, t = 18.79, P = 0.024. The study therefore recommends that law enforcement agencies should improve transparency, accountability, and public communication to rebuild trust and confidence among citizens.
Keywords: Social Media, Police Brutality, Public Perception, Public Trust, Police Confidence.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background to the Study
Throughout history, human societies have depended on communication systems to produce shared meanings, convey information and determine the collective attitude to institutions and public affairs. The shift from traditional communication to digitally mediated has dramatically changed how information is disseminated, in terms of speed, accessibility and participatory nature. Social media has become a major tool for civic engagement, public expression and information sharing with various groups. Omoera and Guanah (2022) pointed out that the interactive nature of social media has led to the shift of the audience from a passive receiver to an active participant in the communication process. Likewise, Jimoh et al. (2024) noted that citizens' perception of governance and public institutions is becoming more and more shaped by the use of social media. Succar et al. (2024) also argued that the media's content plays a significant role in building public attitudes towards state agencies, confirming the media's continued power in influencing social attitudes and behavioural orientations.
This participatory aspect of social media has thus facilitated its use to discuss issues around security, governance and law enforcement practices. Digital platforms allow citizens to make notes, share stories, and give feedback on activities with public institutions. Cheng (2021) argues that social media socialisation plays a key role in legitimising or delegitimising police actions to audiences. Bullock and Dodsworth (2025) also claimed that the public's perception of the effectiveness of police and institutional performance is now heavily shaped by social media. Social networking platforms are key spaces for political expression and collective mobilisation in Nigeria. Adedokun (2022) stated that social media played a great role in the public involvement in civic agitation against police brutality and governance issues. Erubami et al. (2021) also found that there was a significant amount of public reaction and increased networked communication among various demographic groups when major events were covered by social media.
The growing use of social media to engage in civic life has also led to a greater focus on the public on reports on police practices and human rights. Police brutality is a common topic in online discussions as such incidents typically garner significant attention and spark public debate. The media and the public became engrossed in the narratives surrounding police brutality in Nigeria, as reported by Akinyetun (2021). Udeoji and Elekwa (2023) argued that the media's reporting of police brutality and the EndSARS movement has helped to raise civic consciousness and public responses to policing practices. Onwunyirimadu (2022) also posited that the importance of police brutality issues has garnered a lot of interest due to their implications for human rights and police accountability. Adebusuyi et al. (2023) further stated that public perception of police misconduct is closely linked to confidence in the police and the level of institutional legitimacy accorded to police institutions.
The link between media reporting on police brutality and citizens' perceptions of policing practices is especially important in local communities where citizens have frequent contact with police institutions and access information via digital networks. Social media has been a major source of information among many people in Nigeria, especially in Owerri, Imo State where many people are still using the digital communication platform to interact on public issues and security issues. According to Martins (2023), online communication platforms significantly contributed to keeping the public engaged on the matter of police actions in Nigeria. Ike et al. (2021) also suggested that information environments and citizens' perception of the police conduct contribute significantly to the level of public trust in the police. Nathan Mbawike and Aneke (2025) also argued that the public perception of police conduct continues to be a key point of discussion in relation to the protection of human rights and the administration of criminal justice. In this regard, the geographic delimitation of this study to Owerri, Imo State, is appropriate because it offers a setting for the study of the exposure to social media reports on police brutality, the level of credibility accorded to such reports and their perceived impact on public perception, public trust and confidence in the police.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
The rise of social media has changed the way information is created, shared, and received about policing and law enforcement activities. Incidents of police brutality are reported on digital platforms, such as videos, photographs, commentaries and eyewitness accounts and can be seen by large numbers of people in a short time. Research has shown that media narratives can have a profound impact on public opinion about the police and their perception of institutional legitimacy (Succar et al., 2024; Bullock & Dodsworth, 2025). Social media platforms were a key element in the public discourse on police brutality and governance in Nigeria (Adedokun, 2022; Martins, 2023). As a result, residents are constantly bombarded with different representations of police behaviour, and an information landscape where perceptions of policing can be shaped by digital narratives.
While social media has become an important source of information about police activities, it is unclear how much residents are exposed to reports of police brutality. The existing studies have focused largely on the general impact of police brutality, EndSARS movement and media mobilisation, while few empirical studies have been conducted on how much people have been exposed to these reports in particular local contexts, especially in Owerri, Imo State (Akinyetun, 2021; Udeoji & Elekwa, 2023). Also unclear is how residents trust the social media reporting of police brutality. The participatory nature of social media allows for the quick and easy spread of information from many sources, including unverified accounts and personal opinions, which makes credibility an empirical question (Erubami et al., 2021; Cheng, 2021). In the absence of information about citizens' exposure and credibility assessments, it is hard to determine how much influence social media reports have on public opinion about policing.
The other issue that needs empirical studies is the effect of social media reports on the public's attitude towards the police and on citizens' trust and confidence in law enforcement institutions. Adebusuyi et al. (2023) found that perceptions of police misconduct are strongly associated with public trust and the legitimacy of the police institution. Ike et al. (2021) also argued that information environments and perceptions of police conduct impact citizens' confidence in the police. With the use of social media as a source of information on public issues in Nigeria, it is essential to identify if the reports on police brutality help to engender positive or negative perceptions of the police among the people of Owerri, Imo State. This study is therefore deemed necessary as it offers empirical evidence on the extent to which residents are exposed to social media reports about police brutality, the credibility of the reports and how it is believed to affect residents' perception, trust and confidence in the police. The results will help develop a better understanding of the links between social media reporting and public assessments of policing in the study area.
1.3 Objective of the Study  
The purpose of this study is to explore public perception of social media reports on police brutality in Imo State. The specific objectives are:
1.Assess the level of public exposure to social media reports on police brutality among residents of Imo State.
2.Examine the credibility attributed to social media reports on police brutality by residents of Imo State.
3.Determine the influence of social media police brutality reports on public perception of the police in Imo State.
4.Assess the perceived influence of social media police brutality reports on public trust and confidence in the police.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of social media, the concept of police brutality, social media reports on police brutality, public perception of police brutality, the influence of social media on public awareness and opinion, and the role of social media in promoting accountability and police reforms etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises adult residents of Owerri, Imo State, who are active social media users and have access to information on police brutality.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 400 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods to select the individual respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire titled “Public Perception of Social Media Reports on Police Brutality in Imo State Questionnaire (PPSMRPBISQ)” as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their opinions. Inferential statistics, particularly Pearson Chi-square, were used to test the hypotheses.
Full outline for chapter three;
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size
3.4 Sampling Technique
3.5  Instrument for Data Collection
3.6 Validity of the Instrument
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument
3.8 Method Of Data Collection 
3.9 Method of Data Analysis
3.10 Ethical Consideration

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following major findings were made:

i. The study found that residents of Imo State have a high level of exposure to social media reports on police brutality, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.26, which is above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00.

ii. The study found that social media reports on police brutality are perceived to be credible among residents of Imo State, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.19, which is above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.684, t-value of 18.34, and p-value of 0.021 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

iii. The study found that social media reports on police brutality have a significant influence on public perception of the police in Imo State, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.26, which is above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.712, t-value of 19.86, and p-value of 0.018 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

iv. The study found that social media reports on police brutality have a significant influence on public trust and confidence in the police, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.23, which is above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.695, t-value of 18.79, and p-value of 0.024 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary 
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Limitations of the Study
5.5 Recommendations
5.6 Suggestions for Further Studies
Reference
Appendix

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