Fake News as Disruptive Media: A Digital Age Challenge in Nigeria (original) (raw)
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New Media and the Proliferation of Fake News in Nigeria
Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies, 2020
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Social Media and the Challenges of Curtailing the Spread of Fake News in Nigeria
Advances in Media, Entertainment, and the Arts, 2019
The rising trend of fake news on social media in Nigeria has raised serious concern about the survival of the country's fledgling democracy especially as the country prepares for the 2019 polls which is expected to usher in a new set of leaders. The federal government had in response to the menace which has reached an alarming proportion launched a campaign against fake news in July 2018 to raise awareness about the dangers fake news portends for the polity. While some applaud the government for the initiative, others lampoon the government for chasing shadows instead of addressing the root cause. This chapter therefore examines the issues, controversies and problems associated with the deadly scourge and proffer solutions to halt the growing menace of fake news in the country.
The study sought to evaluate fake news and journalism practice in Nigeria using the views of journalists and media scholars in Plateau State. Gatekeeping theory of the media was used as theoretical framework for arguments and discourse in the work. Through purposive sampling, 18 in-depth interviews were conducted among journalists in Jos and new media scholars in the department of Mass Communication, University of Jos. Results of the study revealed that the views of journalists and media scholars on fake news were unanimous. However, while journalists were of the opinion that fake news affects journalism negatively, media scholars had mixed reactions that fake news affects journalism positively. It was also revealed that there are no standard measures by media professionals or other regulatory bodies to counter fake news which implies very little gatekeeping especially in most online news sources. The study thus recommended, among other, that offenders should be sanctioned and all registered and licensed media organizations should step up their gatekeeping roles while registration should be extended to bloggers and other independent media entrepreneurs.
Fake News in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and Management
This study examined the impact of Fake News in Nigeria: Causes, Effects and its Management in Nigeria and the world at large. Fake news in a layman understanding is said to be information fabricated without a source or element of originality. Most time, it creates tension, killings and pandemonium which are not good for the peace and unity of Nigeria and the world at large. The source of information for this study came from secondary source. From the study, we observed that the major causes of fake news are; quest for relevance, hostile government and civil actors, poor regularization / of the internet and money making. The effect of it has been so bad most especially now Nigeria is facing different intra crises like Fulani-Herdsmen and Farmers, Militancy, and so on which goes a long way to create tension, killings and pandemonium just like stated above. As a result of the above, we recommend the following: There is need to always confirm the source of information (social media accounts often try to appear as if they are from legitimate news sites), check different sources to confirm the authentication of the information you are reading. There is need to always penalize those blogs or media outlets that post fake news no matter the circumstance. By so doing, it will serve as deterrent to others using it as a way to gain relevance or for whatever reason.
A Critical Digital Plan on How to Control Fake News in Nigeria
2019
The rate at which fake news thrive in the social media landscape around the world has attracted media scholars attention in different ways given the threat and dangers it poses to the peaceful development of every human society. In view of the above reason, this study is set to provide critical digital measure that can help the government of Nigeria in the control of fake news spread in its territory considering the heterogeneous nature of the country. The study is set to find out if there is any noticeable influence of fake news on the existence of the Nigerian state, the dominant noticeable dangers of fake news, and the various available digital measures that can control it and to provide a sound record keeping digital regulation to identify all individual social media users. The study is premised on the theory of reasoned action and planned behavior and the source credibility theory. The study adopts the online survey research method in studying 253 media scholars - all members o...
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Global media journal, 2019
The study was conducted to measure the effect of fake news on Nigeria’s democracy within the premise of freedom of expression. The study was anchored on four objectives to find out the rate of the spread of fake news among Nigerians on both social and conventional media; to examine the perception of media audience on fake news and abuse of freedom of expression; to find out the effect of fake news on Nigeria’s democracy; to determine measures that can be adopted in combating fake news The study selected purposive sampling and surveyed 60 social media user from Borno and Yobe (i.e 30 from each of the two states) and administered questionnaire. The study found that majority of the respondents contributes in the information sharing system of media cycle. The study found that that despite the awareness of fake news among the respondents, there is limited alertness with regard to sensitivity of verifying information before sharing. The study also found that politics and crisis suffer mor...
ANALYSIS OF FAKE NEWS AND FACT-CHECKING OF SELECTED ONLINE MEDIA DURING THE 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA, 2021
This study examines fake news and fact-checking of selected online media during the 2019 Presidential election in Nigeria. The researcher applies Social Responsibility theory, Two-step flow theory, and multi-step flow theory as the theoretical framework for this study. The researcher employs an In-depth interview method for this research and the interview guide is the instrument of data collection. The study population for this research work comprises Fact-checking Editors and journalists in three selected online news platforms that focus on fact-checking in Nigeria-DUBAWA, Africa Check, and International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR). This research work adopts the basic research approach for the research design since it helps to gather needed data from respondents. The research uses a purposive sampling technique with the thematic approach as the method of analysis. The research work finds out that fact-check can curb the menace of fake news and new media should desist from peddling misinformation. The research recommends that there should be synergy among all Fact-Checking platforms to ensure uniformity in their findings and enhance quick countering of fake information by opinion leaders. Also, platform owners ranging from Google, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube should work closely with Fact-Checking platforms in preventing and combating the spread of fake news; and media organisations should make deliberate effort in promoting media literacy.
Asian Journal of Applied Communication, 2019
The literature may have established that fake news is not new. However, the digitized form of fake news that is commonly believed to have emerged during the 2016 United States’ presidential election is by no means new. Having come at the time of information explosion aided by the rapid advancements in information and communication technologies, this genre of fake news has been pervasive, and characteristically, having a notoriety for undermining democratic processes in nations across the globe. Apart from the 2016 US presidential election, even the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom is believed to have been touched by fake news. Then came the 2019 Nigerian election and the so-called ‘INEC Server Gate’, a situation that has provided a fertile ground for the propagation of fake news in the country’s polity, was given rise to by the leading opposition presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar who is currently challenging the election result in a court of law. In fact, it is believed that digital fake news emerged in Nigerian polity since during the country’s 2015 election. This article aims to provide understanding about the definitions of fake news in Nigerian context and proposes a conceptual framework to determine the influence of fake news on Nigeria’s democracy. Future research should focus on using quantitative methods to test the framework.
Studies in Media and Communiaction, 2019
Since the rising to notoriety of the present "genre" of malicious content peddled as "fake news" (mostly over social media) in 2016 during the United States" presidential election, barely three years until Nigeria"s 2019 general elections, fake news has made dangerously damaging impacts on the Nigerian society socially, politically and economically. Notably, the escalating herder-farmer communal clashes in the northern parts of the country, ethno-religious crises in Taraba, Plateau and Benue states and the furiously burning fire of the thug-of-war between the ruling party (All Progressives Congress, APC) and the opposition, particularly the main opposition party (People"s Democratic Party, PDP) have all been attributed to fake news, untruth and political propaganda. This paper aims to provide further understanding about the evolving issues regarding fake news and its demonic impact on the Nigerian polity. To make that contribution toward building the literature, extant literature and verifiable online news content on fake news and its attributes were critically reviewed. This paper concludes that fake news and its associated notion of post-truth may continue to pose threat to the Nigerian polity unless strong measures are taken. For the effects of fake news and post-truth phenomena to be suppressed substantially, a tripartite participation involving these key stakeholders-the government, legislators and the public should be modelled and implemented to the letter.
Twitter and Fake News: Implications for National Security in Nigeria
African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research, 2024
The emergence of new social media platforms such as Twitter has revolutionized the means of communication and dissemination, providing unprecedented networking avenues for immediate news spread. But this ease has also increased the spread of fake news which is a concern faced by many nations including Nigeria. Fake news simply deceives, suppresses facts relevant to political life or spreads information intended only to harm, having a direct impact on national security. For Nigeria, a country rich in ethnic, religious and political prejudice, the effects of fake news can go as far as inciting violence, destroying the social fabric or even causing instability. This study investigated the prevalence, characteristics and consequences of fake news on Twitter during critical events in Nigeria, using a qualitative methodology to understand how false information is spread and what potential threat it poses to national security. The paper uses secondary data from the extant literature and Twitter-Archive for investigating how fake news spreads, consequently shaping public opinion, damaging social solidarity and threatening national security. It lists the top drivers of misinformation in Nigeriaincluding poor media literacy, political divisiveness and overdependence on social media as sources of news. It also puts forward solutions to address the risks posed by this kind of content on Twitter, including government legislation, fact-checking mechanisms, media literacy initiatives and consumer take-backs. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between Twitter, fake news, and national security in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to protect the country's stability and well-being.