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.

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