Combating fake news: How increased media competences can curb disinformation trends in Nigeria.

Abstract

This study examined how Nigerians understood fake news. It took a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with 30 journalists to determine their understanding of fake news and explore how media literacy can help combat fake news. The sample was purportedly drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to ensure representativeness. Gatekeeping Theory and Public Sphere Theory were used to better understand how journalists use their professional role of vetting information and releasing only credible information to the public. The analyzed data show that social networks facilitate the spread of false news more than mainstream media. The findings also show that fake news spreads due to factors such as time constraints, clickbait, user-generated content, and competitiveness.