Photographs are representations of images used for communication on newspapers. They evoke readers’ feelings and excite emotions on the presented issue. How newspaper readers in Onitsha respond to photographs dealing with violence, like the Fulani herdsmen attack on Agatu communities in Benue State, is investigated in this study. The survey research method was used to evaluate the reactions of 369 respondents, determined through the Topman’s formular, to the violence depicted in Sun and The Guardian newspapers. It was found that clarification of information stimulated consumption desire for photographs; photographs that aid news stories in the intensification of media experience aroused the greatest emotion than those that stand alone. Content presentation perspective was found to influence readers’ attitude towards the presented issue. Public agenda arising from the photographs aroused emotional dispositions. It was recommended that caution should prevail in presenting violent photographs, capable of inciting reprisal reactions. Objectivity is also advocated in balanced reporting of violence with photographs because sensationalism could impede national security resulting from emotions.

This paper explores the economic dimension of social media; in other words, it appraises the place of social media in the society’s wealth creation and distribution endeavour. Situated within the conceptual framework of the theories of technological determinism, social construction of technology, and uses and gratification, the paper argues that social media has great potentials for economic empowerment through enhancing job creation and skill acquisition, serving as a platform for marketing and business collaboration, and offering cheap platforms for small businesses to thrive. It is, however, pointed out that the extent to which these economic potentials of social media would manifest in Nigeria would be influenced by certain elements including social media penetration, literacy/awareness and infrastructure. The paper concludes that while today’s economic sphere is increasingly coming under the influence of technology (including social media technology), this technological influence would also be moderated (determined) by the realities of the social context, just as the participants in the technology will benefit from this influence only as determined by their motives (gratifications) for using the technology. It is recommended, among others, that teaching of the economic potentials of the ICTs including the social media be integrated in the education curriculum in Nigeria as a way of preparing and mobilizing young people for harnessing social media economic potentials. Keywords: Social Media, Economics, Apprai