INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Media is the means of communicating to a large segment of people, such as television, radio and newspapers. In recent time the government of Nigeria has embarked on a media campaign against the spread of fake news, the media campaign was lauched 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 multireligious country, if not checked could lead to conflict in the coutry 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 (January 16, 2018). The spread of fake news is often caused by reporters paying people to generate information and stories for them. This action is referered 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 audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria.
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 coutry is left unabated. The problem confronting the study is to appraise the audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The Main Objective of the study is to appraise the audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria; The specific objectives include
1 To determine the nature of fake news.
2To determine the audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1 What is the nature of fake news?
2 What is the audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria?
1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS
The statement of the hypothesis for the study is stated in Null as follows
HO The audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria is negative.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study appraises the audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria. 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 audience perception of media campaign against fake news in Nigeria.
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.
