ROLE OF PRINT MEDIA IN COMBATING MISINFORMATION DURING ECONOMIC CRISES.

The persistent challenge of misinformation during times of economic crises poses a significant threat to public understanding, decision-making, and national stability. This study investigates the role of print media in combating misinformation during the 2024 cost of living crisis in Nigeria, with a particular focus on how newspapers reported, clarified, and educated citizens about the realities of inflation, unemployment, food insecurity, and other socio-economic issues. Guided by the agenda-setting and social responsibility theories, the research employed a quantitative survey design with a sample size of 120 respondents drawn from Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, and percentage analysis, while inferential tests were applied to establish relationships between variables. Findings revealed that print media played a crucial role in providing accurate, timely, and contextualized information, particularly through investigative reports, editorials, and fact-checking features that countered false claims circulating across digital and informal communication channels. However, challenges such as declining readership, limited accessibility, and competition with social media platforms reduced the overall reach and effectiveness of newspapers in combating misinformation. The study concludes that while print media remains a vital instrument for promoting factual awareness and public trust during economic crises, its capacity must be strengthened through enhanced collaboration with digital platforms, improved circulation, and sustained professional ethics. This research contributes to scholarship by highlighting the continued relevance of traditional media in an era dominated by digital communication, particularly in crisis communication and misinformation management. It also offers practical recommendations for policymakers, journalists, and media organizations to enhance credibility and ensure effective crisis reporting. Keywords Print media; Misinformation; Economic crisis; Cost of living; Nigeria; Agenda setting theory; Social responsibility theory; Crisis communication