Media stakeholders` perspectives on social media platforms as boosters of yellow journalism and fake news propagation in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper explored the perspectives of media stakeholders on the role of social media platforms in spreading fake news and propagating yellow journalism in Delta State, Nigeria. These are believed to be perpetuated through citizen journalism. The objectives were to ascertain if social media are prone to spreading fake news and promoting yellow journalism; investigate if citizen journalism exacerbate the spread of fake news and yellow journalism, and determine if the spread of fake news and yellow journalism negatively impact journalism practice. The study was based on the Uses and Gratifications Theory. It employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The population of the study of 1,100 was made up of journalists from media houses across Delta State, and senior mass communication/media studies and journalism lecturers from six universities in Delta State. The study revealed that social media platforms influence the propagation of yellow journalism and fake news in the State. Furthermore, it was discovered that citizen journalism encourages the spread of fake news and yellow journalism because most its “practitioners” are not groomed in the ethics of journalism. This study concluded that the unprofessional activities of non-initiates into journalism has been having negative impacts on the profession. Recommendations include collaborative efforts among media practitioners, social media companies, and policymakers to promote responsible journalism and media consumption practices in the digital age. Also, media outlets should focus on improving the quality of content shared to mitigate the effects of negative media content.