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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">BJCR</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title xml:lang="en">British Journal of Contemporary Research</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title xml:lang="en">BJCR</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn>2979-8582</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Bexford Publishing Ltd</publisher-name>
        <publisher-loc><uri>https://bexfordpublishing.co.uk</uri></publisher-loc>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">BEX_JUL_26_197</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.67693/BJCR-GDCA8RDH</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group xml:lang="en" subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Original Research Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title xml:lang="en">Digital Media Invasion and Political Communication in Rivers State: A Meme-Based Analysis</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group content-type="author">
      <contrib corresp="yes">
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>EZE George Ogazi Mani (PhD)</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>george.eze@iaue.edu.ng</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      <contrib>
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>OKEH, Azubuike (PhD)</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>azubuike.okeh@iaue.edu.ng</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>ORCID: ORCID ID: https:// orcid.org/0009-0006-9201-155x | Department of Mass Communication, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt. Nigeria of</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      <contrib>
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>ONYESO, Prince IKEOKWU NWAOKUGHA</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>onyeso.prince@iaue.edu.ng</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>ORCID: ORCID ID: https:// orcid.org/0009-0003-o194-2630 | Mass Communication Department, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date date-type="pub" publication-format="epub">
        <day>10</day>
        <month>08</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>1</volume>
      <issue>3</issue>
      
      
      <pub-history>
        <event event-type="received">
          <event-desc>Received: <date date-type="received">
            <day>27</day>
            <month>07</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
        
        <event event-type="accepted">
          <event-desc>Accepted: <date date-type="accepted">
            <day>02</day>
            <month>08</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
      </pub-history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>Copyright (c) 2026 EZE George Ogazi Mani (PhD)</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
        <license xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">
          <license-p>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract><p>Abstract
The swift rise of digital media has dramatically transformed how political communication unfolds in various regions of Nigeria. This study examined the impact of digital media on political communication in Rivers State, using a meme-focused analytical approach. Grounded in Semiotic, Agenda-Setting, and Framing Theories, the research explored how internet memes serve as powerful tools for crafting political narratives, shaping public opinion, and boosting citizen engagement. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilising topical case sampling a purposive sampling method to collect thirty politically relevant memes from Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram that pertain to Rivers State. The analysis of the data was both semiotic and interpretative, aimed at uncovering the meanings and themes embedded in the political memes circulating on social media. The findings indicated that meme-based communication played a crucial role in political discussions, with prevalent themes such as political satire, the delegitimisation of political figures, distrust in elections, criticism of governance, youth involvement, and the spread of misinformation. The semiotic analysis revealed that memes often used symbolic imagery, humor, and cultural references to break down complex political issues while reinforcing ideological narratives like godfatherism, corruption, and political instability. Additionally, the study found that memes played a role in agenda-setting by highlighting specific political issues and framing them in ways that shaped how audiences interpreted them. The discussion pointed out that while memes have the potential to enhance political participation, especially among young people, they also bring challenges, such as the spread of misinformation, political polarisation, and the trivialisation of governance matters. In conclusion, the study suggested that meme culture presents both opportunities and risks in Nigeria’s changing digital political communication landscape. It recommended that stakeholders focus on promoting digital media literacy and fostering responsible political communication, and strengthen regulatory frameworks to mitigate misinformation while preserving freedom of expression.
Keywords: Digital Media, Political Communication, Memes, Rivers State, Digital Discourse</p></abstract>
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  </front>
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