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Mass CommunicationCitizen Journalism and Credibility of Online News Platforms
This study examined the influence of citizen journalism on the credibility of online news platforms in Nigeria. The emergence of digital media has enabled ordinary citizens to participate actively in news gathering and dissemination, thereby challenging the traditional gatekeeping role of professional journalists. While citizen journalism has improved access to information and increased public participation, concerns persist regarding misinformation, fake news, and declining public trust in online news platforms. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire administered to 391 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square analysis. Findings revealed that citizen journalism significantly influences audience perceptions of online news credibility. Although respondents acknowledged its contribution to timely reporting and broader news coverage, they also expressed concerns about the lack of editorial gatekeeping and verification standards. The study concluded that citizen journalism has both positive and negative implications for online news credibility. It recommended stronger fact-checking mechanisms, media literacy education, and a regulatory framework that supports citizen journalists while promoting responsible journalism.
Mass CommunicationThe Impact of Social Media on News Dissemination in Nigeria
This study investigated the impact of social media on news dissemination in Nigeria. The proliferation of social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, has fundamentally transformed how news is produced, distributed, and consumed in Nigeria. While traditional media gatekeepers once controlled the flow of information, social media has created a participatory media environment in which ordinary citizens function as content producers, distributors, and critics. This study examined how this shift has affected the speed, accuracy, credibility, and reach of news dissemination in Nigeria, with particular focus on young adults in Lagos State. The survey research design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire containing 30 items was administered to 400 respondents selected through stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Data were analysed using frequency distribution, simple percentages, mean scores, and Chi-square statistics. Findings revealed that social media significantly accelerates the speed of news dissemination but also contributes to the rapid spread of misinformation and fake news. While most respondents rely on social media as their primary source of news, they continue to depend on traditional media for verification. The study concludes that social media has transformed news dissemination in Nigeria but has weakened traditional gatekeeping practices. It recommends stronger regulatory frameworks and the institutionalisation of media literacy programmes to improve the credibility of online information. Keywords: Social Media, News Dissemination, Nigeria, Misinformation, Digital Journalism, Gatekeeping, Media Credibility.
Mass CommunicationThe Role of Mass Media in Democratic Governance
This study investigates the role of mass media in democratic governance with specific reference to Nigeria's Fourth Republic (1999–2024). The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining a structured questionnaire survey administered to 385 respondents drawn from Enugu, Lagos, and Abuja with a systematic content analysis of selected Nigerian print and broadcast media organisations. Drawing on Agenda-Setting Theory, the Watchdog Theory of the Press, and the Democratic Participant Theory as its theoretical framework, the study examines how mass media influence public opinion, promote government accountability, facilitate political participation, and shape democratic culture. Data collected through the survey were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and Pearson's Chi-square test of hypotheses, while content analysis provided qualitative depth to the quantitative findings. Findings reveal that a significant majority of respondents (78.4%) believe mass media play a critical role in exposing government corruption and holding public officials accountable. However, the study also identifies persistent structural challenges, including government interference, advertiser pressure, concentration of media ownership, and self-censorship, which undermine the media's democratic functions. Social media platforms are increasingly supplementing traditional media, particularly among younger demographics, though concerns about misinformation and platform regulation remain prominent. The study concludes that while Nigerian mass media have made measurable contributions to democratic governance, their full democratic potential is constrained by economic pressures, political partisanship, and weak regulatory frameworks. The study recommends the strengthening of media independence, the enactment of a comprehensive media freedom law, investment in media literacy programmes, and greater editorial transparency. These measures are identified as essential to deepening the media's contribution to Nigeria's democratic consolidation and governance. Keywords: Mass Media, Democratic Governance, Agenda-Setting, Watchdog Journalism, Media Independence, Nigeria.
Mass CommunicationCitizen Journalism and the Credibility of Online News Platforms in Nigeria
This study examined the relationship between citizen journalism and the credibility of online news platforms among Nigerian online news consumers. The increasing use of social media and digital technologies has enabled ordinary citizens to actively participate in news gathering and dissemination, thereby challenging the traditional gatekeeping role of professional journalists. While citizen journalism has improved access to information and encouraged public participation, it has also raised concerns about misinformation, fake news, and declining trust in online news sources. The study adopted a survey research design using a structured questionnaire administered to 385 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi-square test. The findings revealed that citizen journalism significantly influences audience perceptions of online news credibility. Although respondents acknowledged its contribution to timely reporting and diverse perspectives, concerns over the accuracy and verification of citizen-generated content remained high. The study concluded that citizen journalism has both positive and negative implications for the credibility of online news platforms in Nigeria. It recommended improved fact-checking mechanisms, stronger media literacy programmes, and greater collaboration between professional journalists and citizen reporters to enhance public trust. Keywords: Citizen Journalism, Online News Platforms, Credibility, Social Media, Misinformation, Nigeria.
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