Title: Evaluating The Impact Of Fake News And Misinformation In The 2023 Governorship Election In Delta State
Authors: MARERE Joy Emmamuzo, ORJI Majority
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 247-259
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
This study evaluated the impact of fake news and misinformation during the 2023 Governorship Election in Delta State, focusing on sources, frequency, and effects on voter behaviour. Survey approach approach was employed, utilising structured questionnaire to collect quantitative data from a representative sample of the electorate. The findings revealed that political figures were the primary source of misinformation, accounting for 42% of instances, followed by campaign organizations (26.3%), social media influencers (16.1%), and news outlets (13.9%). A significant 98.2% of respondents reported frequent encounters with false information, with 39.4% indicating that misinformation strongly influenced their opinions and 55.8% acknowledging its substantial effect on their voting decisions. Notably, 50.4% of participants perceived both fake news and misinformation as equally impactful on voter behaviour. In conclusion, the analysis underscored the critical role of misinformation in shaping voter perceptions during the election and recommended enforcing stricter political communication guidelines, enhancing media literacy programs, strengthening partnerships between social media platforms and fact-checkers, and conducting ongoing research to adapt to evolving misinformation trends..