A Comprehensive Review of Fake News Consumption on Social Media Among Nigerians

Abstract

Social media is the 21st-century media that has given every user an equal opportunity to publish news without passing through any form of gatekeeping, editorial, or professional scrutiny. Combating the spread of fake news remains a difficult problem. For this reason, it is increasingly urgent to understand the phenomenon of fake news. The study focused on “reviewing the consumption of fake news on social media among Nigerians” Hinged on Conspiracy Theory, findings showed the proliferation and success of fake news are associated with its characteristics (more surreal, exaggerated, impressive, emotional, persuasive, clickbait, shocking images) seem to be strategically thought out and exploited by the creators of fake news. Thus, fake news distorts, manipulates and falsifies facts to make the subject more surreal, bizarre, surprising and controversial, and these aspects motivate the sharing by users. The study therefore recommends that government should fast track its plan to regulate the use of social media to reduce the spread of fake news consumption in our society. More so, it was recommended People should be taught how to do research correctly and find the truth if they have read something online that has no reliable sources.