The Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies Research Vol.5, No.1, pp 37 – 55; June 2024
The Impacts of Fake News and Misinformation Proliferation in this Digital Era: A Study of the South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria
1Boniface Erungworo Odey, 2Okpoko Chinwe Catherine, 1Abu Patience Eyo, 1Omelagah Godwin Ekunke and 1Akor George Bassey
Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria. E-mail: odeyboniface@unical.edu.ng, Mobile: +23407061136280
E-mail: gomelagah@unical.edu.ng, Mobile:+234 08027620915
E-mail: patienceeyo@unical.edu.ng, Mobile: +23409065822449
E-mail: akorgeorge1988@gmail.com, Mobile: +23408036490695
2Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
E-mail: chinwe.okpoko@unn.edu.ng, Mobile: 08065738520
Corresponding author: Boniface Erungworo Odey, odeyboniface@unical.edu.ng,
Mobile: +23407061136280
This study centered on examining the effects of fake news and misinformation proliferation within the South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. The study anchors on the Diffusion of Innovation theory and utilizes a quantitative survey and questionnaire to sample the views of 384 research subjects purposively drawn from the six states that make up the South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria through a multistage sampling technique. The data gathered were analysed with simple percentage and results presented on tables. The study revealed that social media are primary sources of fake news and misinformation in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria, most conflicts specifically in the study area occurred as a result of fake news and misinformation amongst others. It was recommended that advanced algorithms and tools capable of discerning between human users and automated accounts such as technological solutions should be implemented in an effort to stop the spread of false information and fake news. Also, that checking facts by a government agency like NCC, before posting on the social media could assist to lessen the dissemination of false information and fake news among others.
Keywords: Fake news, Misinformation, Digital age, South-South Geopolitical Zone, Nigeria.