ATINUKE BUSOLA OLOWU

This study examined the impact of fake news on media credibility, with a focus on how exposure to misinformation influences public trust in media organizations. The increasing spread of fake news, particularly through social media platforms, has raised concerns about the reliability of information and the credibility of the media. The study adopted a survey research design, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from respondents. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 350 were retrieved and used for analysis, representing an 87.5% response rate. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. Findings from the study revealed that exposure to fake news is widespread, with the majority of respondents encountering false or misleading information, especially on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. The study also found that fake news has significantly reduced public trust in media organizations and has increased skepticism among media users. Many respondents indicated that they now verify information from multiple sources before believing or sharing it. The study concludes that fake news has a negative impact on media credibility and poses a serious challenge to the integrity of the media. It therefore recommends improved factchecking by media organizations, increased media literacy among the public, and stronger regulatory measures to control the spread of misinformation.

This study examined the impact of fake news on media credibility, with a focus on how exposure to misinformation influences public trust in media organizations. The increasing spread of fake news, particularly through social media platforms, has raised concerns about the reliability of information and the credibility of the media. The study adopted a survey research design, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from respondents. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 350 were retrieved and used for analysis, representing an 87.5% response rate. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. Findings from the study revealed that exposure to fake news is widespread, with the majority of respondents encountering false or misleading information, especially on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. The study also found that fake news has significantly reduced public trust in media organizations and has increased skepticism among media users. Many respondents indicated that they now verify information from multiple sources before believing or sharing it. The study concludes that fake news has a negative impact on media credibility and poses a serious challenge to the integrity of the media. It therefore recommends improved factchecking by media organizations, increased media literacy among the public, and stronger regulatory measures to control the spread of misinformation.