Assessment of the Impact of Fake News Phobia on Audience Perception of Online News Credibility: a Study of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology Students.

ABSTRACT The study examined the impacts of fake news phobia on audience perception on online news credibility: A study of BOUESTI Students and highlighted the implications of fake news on students, impacts of fake news phobia on audience perception regarding online news credibility. It analyzes how fake news phobia influences the students’ perceptions of news credibility and checkmate their level of awareness towards fake news likewise providing a coping mechanism in face of fake news or when an information online is being contacted to avoid phobia and ensure accuracy. A survey method was adopted in the research and stratified random sampling techniques was used in the selection of the sample size from the population of study which comprises (13,000) but with the use of Taro Yamane formula for division we were able to conclude with the population of the study as (400). Data was analyzed using Frequency table and the Likert scaling method. Which grants the access to know the level of awareness of students about fake news likewise their believe that online platforms can broadcast fake information which can lead to credibility of the information. Moreover, the results gathered indicated that BOUESTI students makes frequent use of online platforms which makes them frequently come across news online which put them in doubt of encountering fake news online likewise facing the challenges of not being able to differentiate real news from fake news and to find it difficult to believe or broadcast any news from online platforms due to the doubts in online news credibility.