Perceived Implication Of Fake News On Social Media

This study was carried out on the perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook). The study was carried out to find out the prevalence of fake news on Facebook as a social media, investigate the perceived implications of of the increasing fake news on Facebook as a social media, and identify the possible solutions to the problem of fake news on Facebook as a social media. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprised of students of Delta State University, Abraka. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 148 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, while the hypotheses was tested Chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the prevalence of fake news on Facebook as a social media is high. Furthermore, the study revealed that there are numerous implications of the increasing fake news in the social media, among which includes; masses loss of trust on social media information, makes the social media an unrelaible source of information, corrupts users perceptions, leads to anxiety among users, and leads to social conflict. Therefore, it is recommended that to social media users should always verify the source and the content of information received on social media to help them discover whether they are fake news or relating to fake news.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Fake news is a global issue right now; there is an ongoing discussion about fake news and its impact on global affairs. There are several reports that Russia planted fake news stories to influence the outcome of the United States elections. Also, social media was abuzz with certain "Pizzagate" scandal- a news story claiming Hillary Clinton and her campaign chairman John Podesta were the ringleaders of a pedophilia ring running out of Washington DC. The story was proven fake when The New York Times and the Washington Post tracked it down and debunked it (Adeleke, 2016). One of the main subjects of attack of the fake news phenomenon is Facebook, the world"s largest social network with a monthly active user base of 1.7 billion, more than the population of China and the United States combined. The platform has been used to peddle all kinds of news stories, all in a bid for platforms to rake in advertising revenue. For long, Facebook (or rather Mark Zuckerberg) denied its fake news problem. However, after a lot of pressure, it finally to do something about it by introducing a fake news signal that makes it easy for users to report and identify fake news. The flagged fake news will then be reviewed by Facebook"s fact checkers, an army of third party journalists from media organizations (Adeleke, 2016).

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 perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook).

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 and news media and online social media. 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 assess the perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook)

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The Main Objective of the study is to assess the perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook).

The specific objectives include:

To find out the prevalence of fake news on Facebook as a social media.

To investigate the perceived implications of of the increasing fake news on Facebook as a social media.

To identify the possible solutions to the problem of fake news on Facebook as a social media.

1.4 Research Questions

What is the prevalence of fake news on Facebook as a social media?

What are the perceived implications of of the increasing fake news on Facebook as a social media?

What are the possible solutions to the problem of fake news on Facebook as a social media?

1.5 Statement of the Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant implications associated with the spread of fake news on Facebook as a social media.

Ha: There is a significant implications associated with the spread of fake news on Facebook as a social media.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study appraises the perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook). 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 perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook). The study will be conducted at Delta State University Abraka as the students will form the respondents for the study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

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 Social media, television, radio and newspapers.

1.10 Organization of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, abnd selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings into the perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook). The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was to examine the perceived implication of fake news on Facebook as a social media (a case study Facebook). The study specifically was set to find out the prevalence of fake news on Facebook as a social media, investigate the perceived implications of of the increasing fake news on Facebook as a social media, and identify the possible solutions to the problem of fake news on Facebook as a social media.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents are students of Delta State University, Abraka.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.

The prevalence of fake news on Facebook as a social media is high.

There are numerious implications of the increasing fake news in the social media, among which inlcude; masses loss of trust on social media information, makes the social media an unrelaible source of information, corrupts users perceptions, leads to anxiety among users, and leads to social conflict.

The possible solutions to the problem of fake news on Facebook as a social media include; reporting the news channel to the appropriate authorities, reporting to the social media platform support group, blacklisting the page, educating social media content consumers to spot fake news, and proper accreditation and regulation of media channels.

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.

It is important for NGOs and media organizations to start campaign against fake news on Facebook as a social media to discourage posters and increase the knowledge of young adults about the dynamics of fake news and students

Young adult should always verify the source and the content of information received on social media to help them discover whether they are fake news or relating to fake news.

The solutions analyzed in chapter four should be implemented effectively.

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Content

List of Tables

Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

1.9 Definition of Terms

1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of Data Collection

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

3.8 Validity of the Study

3.9 Reliability of the Study

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Analysis of Data

4.3 Answering Research Questions

4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

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