Communicating loss through #bringbackourgirls images on twitter

Abstract

This study examines the use of Twitter images to communicate pain, anger, grief, hope, determination and other sentiments resulting from loss. By focusing on images shared on the Twitter handle BringBackOurGirls started as a social media campaign against the kidnapping of school-going Nigerian girls by a militant group, Boko Horam, the research analyses how meanings are constructed through several codes. Drawing insights from semiotic concepts and theorizations about the role of social media in initiating and running online protests, the research considers the significance of the #BBOG campaign and the images that were posted on its Twitter handle from the onset.