Department of Mass Communication

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Browsing Department of Mass Communication by Author "Umeaku, Perpetua & Akinjobi, Zulykah Bukola"

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    Exploring the dynamics of online fake political news, media literacy, and political engagement among university students in Kwara State
    (AMCRON, 2024-10) Umeaku, Perpetua & Akinjobi, Zulykah Bukola
    The information sphere in Africa and Nigeria, in particular, has evolved with the pervasive influence of social media. This has constantly brought to the fore, the pressing concern about fake news which unarguably is capable of undermining the political and democratic foundations of any nation. Experts and scholars have voiced apprehensions in recognizing these potential risks, emphasizing the urgent need for attention and intervention. This study delves into the interplay of online fake political news, media literacy, and political engagement among university students in Kwara State. This research focuses on university students who due to their dynamic energy and active engagement are expected to wield significant influence within the nation's population on issues of governance. We employed a quantitative research approach, surveying 400 respondents across selected universities in Kwara State, namely: the University of Ilorin, Al-Hikmah University, and Kwara State University. Key findings reveal a notable preference among respondents for online platforms as their primary source of political news; a substantial majority of participants exhibit a good level of media literacy, actively discerning and avoiding engagement with political processes tainted by fake news. Furthermore, our research establishes a relationship between exposure to online fake political news and political participation among university students. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of media literacy in shaping civic engagement and fostering a discerning electorate and highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of the use of digital and social media landscape to foster integration and political stability through the youths’ active engagement in governance.