NJOMACS

The paper x-rays public perception of the 2020 EndSARS protest media portrayal in Nasarawa State. The study employs a cross-sectional survey design, using a non-probability convenient sampling technique to distribute the research instrument (questionnaire). The study is hinged on E-participation Theory and Framing Theory. Exploring the level of awareness, the research revealed that the EndSARS protest got a very high level of awareness in Nasarawa State. Investigating dominant narratives during the protest, the study identified key themes as Police Brutality, Bad-Government, Unemployment, Insecurity, Corruption, Lack of Opportunities, and Police Reform as dominant narratives. The study suggested the need for government to introduce a counter-narrative strategy in promptly addressing digital media themes that could create social unrest. Meanwhile, on social media portrayal of the EndSARS protest, findings revealed that the public perceived the portrayals to have negatively energised the movement, while WhatsApp was identified to be prevalence in the portrayal of the EndSARS protest. The findings indicate discontent and disapproval associated with how the movement was represented on digital platforms in Nasarawa State. The study however, concluded with the assertion that the negative perception of social media portrayals in Nasarawa State possibly enabled the mild situation experience during the protest.