BLOG POSTS AND STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF FAKE NEWS. EVIDENCE FROM 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA
Loading...
Date
2026
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The 2023 Nigeria General Elections witnessed unprecedented digital engagement, with blog
posts becoming primary information sources for students and young voters. However, the
proliferation of fake news on these platforms threatens informed democratic participation. This
study, anchored in the Source Credibility Theory (SCT), investigates the perception of fake
news among students of Graceland Polytechnic, Offa. Adopting a descriptive quantitative
survey design, data were collected from 387 students via a structured questionnaire and
analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed a high level of exposure to election
blogs among students. However, their overall perception of fake news was moderate, indicating
a recognition of its presence without a sense of overwhelming personal impact. The study found
that students' verification strategies were largely reactive, and a moderate relationship existed
between their digital literacy levels and susceptibility to fake news. Exposure to misinformation
had a moderate influence on electoral decisions, primarily by creating confusion rather than
directly altering votes. The study concludes that while students are highly exposed to digital
political information, a significant gap exists between this exposure and the consistent
application of critical evaluation skills, leaving them vulnerable to misinformation. It is
recommended that educational institutions integrate structured media literacy programs into
their curricula and that stakeholders launch targeted digital fact-checking initiatives to bolster
students' resilience against fake news and safeguard electoral integrity