Assessment of Social Media Platforms as New Sources Among Journalists in Kwara State

This study examined assessment of social media platforms as new sources among journalists in Kwara State. This study is anchored on four objectives specifically to determine journalists’ level of dependence on social media for news; to ascertain the level at which journalists perceive social media news as trustworthy; to examine the level at which journalists perceive professionalism in social media news content; and to evaluate the extent to which journalists verify social media news. It employed quantitative research design and survey research method which led to the adoption of questionnaire as the research instrument. The population of the study was Nigerian Union of Journalists, Kwara State Chapter (212), purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents needed. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents do not depend on social media for news, as most of them do not trust information from their social media network without verifying it credibility; majority of the respondents believed news on social media are not professional, and the respondents ensure to verify social media breaking news before believing it. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that social media is seen as an unreliable and unprofessional source for news, with verification being an essential practice for those who engage with it. The study recommended that journalists should always verify their sources before publishing, and social media companies and platform developers should develop tools or features within social media platforms that highlight verified news to assist users in identifying trustworthy content.