AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF MEDIA AS A VERITABLE INSTRUMENT FOR COMBATING FAKE NEWS ON COVID-19 (GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS) IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The proliferation of fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced public perceptions and uptake of vaccines, particularly in regions with limited access to reliable health information. This study investigated the impact of fake news on COVID-19 vaccine resistance in Northeastern Nigeria, identified the major sources of misinformation, and explored strategies through which media and stakeholders can collaborate to mitigate its effects. A mixed-method research design was adopted, combining quantitative surveys of 385 media consumers and internally displaced persons with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions involving journalists, media practitioners, and health communication stakeholders. Quantitative findings revealed that a large proportion of respondents delayed or resisted vaccination due to misinformation, doubted vaccine safety and effectiveness, and sometimes trusted fake news over official health information. Social media platforms, friends, family, and religious leaders were identified as the primary sources of fake news, while traditional media were less implicated. Qualitative data highlighted the critical role of collaboration between health authorities, media organizations, and community leaders in disseminating accurate information. Strategies such as multi-platform media engagement, fact-checking initiatives, culturally relevant messaging, and community-focused campaigns were reported to be effective in countering misinformation. The study concludes that fake news significantly undermined vaccine acceptance in Northeastern Nigeria but can be mitigated through coordinated stakeholder collaboration and strategic media deployment. Recommendations include targeted awareness campaigns, formal collaboration frameworks, monitoring of misinformation sources, and the use of multi-platform and culturally engaging media strategies. The findings have important implications for public health communication and policy planning during global health emergencies.