Misinformation and disinformation in the Nigerian media landscape

Abstract

Over the past few years, there has been a lot of discussion about false news and its effects. Although false information has always existed, the current state of technology has made it easier for it to proliferate swiftly. The rapid growth of digital media in Nigeria has brought with it new opportunities for information dissemination, but also new challenges in the form of misinformation and disinformation. Generally, social media offers an ideal environment for the production and spread of false and misleading content. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct study on the creation and dissemination of false news via media. The study which is analytical, relies on secondary data such as published materials and personal observations to make deductions and inferences about the use of social media for fake news. The study looks at the current state of misinformation and disinformation, reasons why people misinform others and the effects it has on our society. Recommendations for addressing the spread of misinformation and disinformation were included in the study's conclusion.