By Lawrence Sunday Ogwang
1.1 Definitions
According to Kietzmann, et al, (2011), Social media are interactive computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks.
It is a web-based application that enables users to come up with a profile in a closed system, form a collection of other users with similar ideas and connections. Their nature and identities, however, differ from one site to another. Prominent examples of social media sites are Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, and many others.
On the other hand, according to Grunig and Hunt (1984), Public relations (PR) is the practice of deliberately managing the spread of information between an individual or an organization (such as a business, government agency, or a non-profit organization) and its publics.
With the advent of the 21st century, the world has experienced many changes in the areas of technology because of the internet. Broom (2009) observes that the internet is a manifestation of an ever-present means of communication considering that all the new forms of media rely on the internet. Key among the many changes brought by the technology is social networking sites that facilitate communication.
These variations like social media do not only expose users to various opportunities but also threats in different ways. Public Relations practice is no exception
