INFLUENCE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON HATE SPEECH AND FAKE NEWS IN ENUGU STATE

Nwosu, Michael Onwumelu and Ezema, Louis Chidi (2022) INFLUENCE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON HATE SPEECH AND FAKE NEWS IN ENUGU STATE. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (IJCSS), 1 (3). pp. 127-150. ISSN 9798364514738

Text IJCSS Vol. 1 #3 11.15.22.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

This study examined the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on hate speech and fake news in Enugu State. This work was motivated by the increasing rate of spread of hate speech and fake news in Nigeria following COVID-19 pandemic. The spread of the virus appeared to be matched by the rise in incidence of misinformation and hate speech directed at individuals of Chinese or Asian descent. The main objectives of the study are to ascertain the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on spread of fake news and hate speech in Enugu State; to determine the extent the pandemic contributed to stigmatization of people, and to find out the general problems that affected objectivity in news reporting during the pandemic. The study used survey research design and was hinged on three theories namely; Theory of Rumour Transmission, Source-credibility Theory and Elaboration of Likelihood Model. In determining the sample size, Wimmer and Dominick Online Sample Size calculator was used to get a sample size of 384 from the target population of 4,411,119. Questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents using purposive sampling technique. The findings revealed that the spread of the virus has led to the deluge of hate speech, fake news and stigmatization of certain individuals. The researchers recommended that states take appropriate steps to combat misinformation through robust public enlightenment including public service announcements among other measures to control this trend of misinformation and disinformation which may fuel discrimination and violence. Keywords: Fake News, Hate Speech, Stigmatization, COVID-19 pandemic

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Nnenna Ayo
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2025 18:29
Last Modified:	14 Aug 2025 18:29
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/5033

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