THE CREDIBILITY OF NEWS CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF FACT CHECKING PRACTICES ON AJAYI CROWTHER UNIVERSITY AND LEAD CITY UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES

ABSTRACT In an era of rapid digital communication, social media has become a primary platform for news dissemination among university students. However, the credibility of news content shared across these platforms remains a growing concern, particularly with the rise of misinformation and fake news. This study investigates how students at Ajayi Crowther University and Lead City University undergraduates perceive the credibility of news shared on social media and examines the fact-checking practices they adopt in response to questionable content. A quantitative research approach was employed using a structured questionnaire distributed to 323 students proportionally sampled from both universities. Data analysis was conducted using frequency counts and percentage distribution, based on responses measured on a five point Likert scale. Findings revealed that while a significant number of students rely on social media for news updates, many still approach such content with skepticism. Most respondents acknowledged the spread of misinformation and agreed on the necessity of fact-checking to ensure content reliability. However, the awareness and application of structured fact-checking practices were found to be relatively low. The study concludes that although students are aware of misinformation challenges, there is a need for improved education on how to effectively verify news sources. It recommends increased collaboration between universities and fact checking organizations, as well as the incorporation of digital literacy training into the academic curriculum to enhance students’ critical evaluation skills in the digital information space. Keywords: Social media, News credibility, Misinformation, Fact-checking, University students