ERADICATION OF FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND PROSPECTS

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 In recent time the government of Nigeria has embarked on a media campaign against the spread of fake news, the media campaign was launched by the Minister of Information and Culture. This is a result of the increasing nature of fake news used as means of political attack against the functions and programs of government. It is also noted that fake news is a matter of rising global concern, and for Nigeria which is a multiethnic and multi-religious country, if not checked could lead to conflict in the country is left unabated. Fake news,  is described as  a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation spread across the  traditional news media and online social media (Tufekci, Zeynep, 2018). The spread of fake news is often caused by reporters paying people to generate information and stories for them. This action is referred to as an unethical practice called checkbook journalism.

The goal is to mislead, damage the identity of someone for political or financial gains. The study seeks to appraise the eradication of fake news on social media possible solutions and prospects.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The spread of fake news has resulted in the damaged of the reputation of the nation. It is defined by the New York Times as a false story with the intention to deceive,” fake news creates fear and threatens the nation’s democracy. Fake news  is described as  a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation spread across the  traditional news media and online social media. This is a result of the increasing nature of fake news used as means of political attack against the functions and programs of government. It is also noted that fake news is a matter of rising global concern, and for Nigeria which is   a multi-ethnic and multi -religious country, if not checked could lead to conflict in the country is left unabated. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the eradication of fake news on social media possible solutions and prospects.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The Main Objective of the study is to appraise the eradication of fake news on social media possible solutions and prospects; The specific objectives include:

  1. To find out the prevalence of fake news on social media.
  2. To investigate the effects of the increasing fake news in the social media.
  3. To identify the possible solutions to the problem of fake news in social media.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

  1.     i.        What is the prevalence of fake news on social media?
  2.    ii.        What are the effects of the increasing fake news in the social media?
  3.  iii.        What are the possible solutions to the problem of fake news in social media?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

Ho1: There is no significant solution to the menace of fake news on the social media.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study appraises the eradication of fake news on social media possible solutions and prospects. The study shall therefore serve as veritable source of information to stakeholders to proffer interventions which will address the problem.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses on the appraisal of the eradication of fake news on social media possible solutions and prospects.

 1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUIDY

The study was confronted with logistics and geographical factors.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

FAKE NEWS DEFINED

Fake news,  is described as  a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation spread across the  traditional news media and online social media.

MEDIA   DEFINED

The Media is the means of communicating to a large segment of people, such as television, radio and newspapers.