A STUDY OF FAKE NEWS CIRCULATION ON WHATSAPP AND ITS EFFECT ON PUBLIC TRUST IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

A STUDY OF FAKE NEWS CIRCULATION ON WHATSAPP AND ITS EFFECT ON PUBLIC TRUST IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In the age of digital communication, the proliferation of unverified and misleading information—commonly referred to as fake news—has emerged as a significant threat to media credibility, public knowledge, and democratic discourse. The rise of mobile messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, which provide encrypted and decentralized information sharing, has compounded the difficulty in regulating and verifying the accuracy of shared content (Tandoc, Lim, & Ling, 2018). This issue is particularly pressing in developing nations like Nigeria, where digital literacy remains uneven, and reliance on informal communication channels is high.

Northern Nigeria presents a unique context for studying the circulation of fake news. The region has historically faced challenges related to low formal education levels, religious and ethnic tensions, and political instability, all of which make it fertile ground for misinformation to thrive. WhatsApp, with its accessibility and cost-effectiveness, has become a dominant medium of communication, especially among young people, rural populations, and politically active communities (BBC Africa Eye, 2020). However, the platform's private and peer-to-peer structure makes it difficult to trace the origin and spread of fake news, allowing emotionally charged or politically motivated falsehoods to flourish unchecked.

The consequences of fake news circulation on WhatsApp are manifold. It not only distorts public understanding of political and health-related events but also undermines the authority of credible media sources. In Northern Nigeria, during major events such as elections, communal conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic, WhatsApp became a hub for misinformation that fueled fear, hate speech, and distrust in official narratives (Iroanusi, 2021). As the credibility of mainstream media outlets like radio, television, and print declines in the face of rapid misinformation, public trust in institutional sources of news and governance is significantly eroded.

While fake news has become a global concern, its impact is magnified in contexts where citizens lack access to fact-checking tools or are skeptical of formal institutions. The perception that traditional media are either biased or censored further drives populations to seek alternative, often unreliable, news sources via WhatsApp groups and broadcast lists. Consequently, understanding how fake news is disseminated on WhatsApp and how it affects public trust in established media outlets is critical to strengthening media systems, democracy, and social cohesion in Nigeria.

This study focuses on Northern Nigeria, a region that has experienced the dual pressures of rapid digital adoption and long-standing socio-political divides. It aims to investigate the extent of fake news circulation on WhatsApp, the themes and formats it often takes, and the resultant impact on public trust in mainstream media.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite growing concern about fake news and its harmful effects, there is a dearth of focused academic research on how misinformation circulates through private messaging platforms like WhatsApp and its specific impact on trust in traditional media in Nigeria. While studies have examined social media and fake news more broadly, they often fail to account for the unique features of WhatsApp—such as end-to-end encryption, virality via broadcast messages, and group sharing—that contribute to the difficulty in regulating false information.

In Northern Nigeria, where reliance on word-of-mouth and mobile communication is high, fake news often spreads quickly, unchecked by journalistic oversight or institutional verification. This misinformation can have far-reaching consequences, from inciting violence and communal unrest to distorting political awareness and health behavior. Yet, little is known about how this affects the public’s perception of credible media institutions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that as people increasingly rely on WhatsApp for news, their trust in traditional media has declined. However, these trends have not been empirically explored in depth.

There is also a challenge in identifying which types of fake news—political, religious, or health-related—most significantly impact public trust. Without this knowledge, efforts to build media literacy or develop counter-misinformation strategies remain ineffective. Moreover, the private nature of WhatsApp means that media regulators and scholars struggle to assess the scale and structure of misinformation flows.

This research seeks to address these gaps by systematically examining how fake news is circulated on WhatsApp in Northern Nigeria and exploring its effects on public trust in mainstream media. By doing so, it aims to contribute to the discourse on digital misinformation, public trust, and the future of journalism in Africa.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To examine the patterns and frequency of fake news circulation on WhatsApp in Northern Nigeria.

To identify the themes and types of fake news most commonly shared via WhatsApp.

To evaluate the impact of fake news on public trust in mainstream media outlets.

1.4 Research Questions

How frequently is fake news circulated on WhatsApp in Northern Nigeria?

What are the common themes and formats of fake news shared via WhatsApp?

How does the circulation of fake news affect public trust in traditional media?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H₀₁: There is no significant relationship between the frequency of fake news circulation on WhatsApp and public trust in mainstream media.

H₀₂: The themes of fake news shared via WhatsApp have no significant effect on public trust in traditional media sources.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant in multiple respects. First, it offers timely insights into the role of WhatsApp in spreading fake news in a politically sensitive and socially diverse region of Nigeria. Second, by focusing on public trust in traditional media, it helps gauge the broader implications of misinformation on journalistic credibility and democratic accountability. The findings will be useful to media regulators, communication scholars, journalists, and civil society actors who are working to strengthen media integrity and promote responsible digital communication. It also contributes to the growing body of literature on misinformation in African contexts, which remains underdeveloped compared to research in Western democracies.

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study is geographically focused on Northern Nigeria, with a specific emphasis on urban and peri-urban communities that use WhatsApp regularly for news and communication. The study is limited by the private nature of WhatsApp messaging, which restricts the researcher’s ability to trace message origin or frequency without user cooperation. Additionally, reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias or memory errors.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Fake News: False or misleading information presented as news, often with the intent to deceive.

WhatsApp: A mobile messaging application used for private and group communication.

Mainstream Media: Established media outlets such as newspapers, radio stations, and television channels that operate under professional journalistic standards.

Public Trust: The confidence that individuals place in the reliability and integrity of media sources.

1.9 Structure of the Study

The study is organized into five chapters. Chapter One presents the introduction, background, and problem statement. Chapter Two reviews relevant literature and theoretical frameworks. Chapter Three outlines the research design and methodology. Chapter Four contains data analysis and interpretation. Chapter Five presents the conclusions and policy recommendations.

References

BBC Africa Eye. (2020). Disinformation and fake news in Northern Nigeria: An investigative report.

Iroanusi, Q. (2021). How fake news worsened insecurity and trust deficit in Northern Nigeria. Premium Times.

Tandoc, E. C., Lim, Z. W., & Ling, R. (2018). Defining ‘fake news’: A typology of scholarly definitions. Digital Journalism, 6(2), 137–153.