Facebook couldn’t handle #FreeBuju!

While many wait on a jury to decide the fate of Jamaican reggae artiste Buju Banton (Mark Myrie), ardent supporters are campaigning on social media, especially Twitter.

The hahstag #freeBuju is being used heavily by supporters, including many Jamaican entertainers and members of the music industry such as Jovi Rockwell and Timberlee. Tweets about whether the entertainer is innocent or guilty, tweets about his song and sometimes just tweets about non-related Buju stories with the hashtag.

Inexplicably, Facebook is down.  The social network is the most popular site for Jamaicans.  http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Facebook-is-down-.

Here are some of the latest #FreeBuju tweets:

DiGenius1‎: RT @FPBubbla: Help make #FreeBuju a TT RT pls @DiGenius1

Jovi_Rockwell: #FREEBUJU #FREEBUJU #FREEBUJU #FREEBUJU #FREEBUJU #FREEBUJU #FREEBUJU ... http://tmi.me/1ExWZ

JDeadlydragon‎: Buju B "God Of My Salvation" #gargamel #bujub #markmyrie #freebuju

ginalbabyruth‎: Praying for my artist. That's all we can do. Weak case. Hope justice favor the people. #freeBUJU

beri876‎: Laundry finally done! #freeBuju #freeBuju

Jamaica Observer is featuring several articles on the Buju affair, there is a Free Buju facebook page and a Free Buju Banton website.

While the social networks have taken the lead on Buju, other traditional media are also doing their part: STAR http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20100923/news/news3.html and
Gleaner http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=22812

Radio stations in Jamaica have also been playing Buju Banton tunes all day long. Respected talk show host Barbara Gloudon spoke today about Buju’s strengths as a writer and poet.

But the social media support is driving the issue because of immediacy and high interaction. We will keep you updated on the response to the verdict in social media.