| Abstract: |
This study examined the influence of fact-checking practices on news credibility
perception among journalists in Benin City, Edo State. It was motivated by the
growing spread of misinformation and the increasing reliance on digital platforms in
contemporary journalism practice, which have made verification processes more
critical to news production. The study specifically assessed the level of awareness
and use of fact-checking platforms, journalists' perception of their usefulness and
reliability, and how these perceptions influence judgement of news credibility. The
Uses and Gratifications Theory provided the theoretical foundation, explaining
journalists as active users who selectively adopt media tools based on perceived
professional benefits and newsroom constraints. A descriptive survey research
design was adopted, and data were collected from 289 registered journalists under
the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benin City Chapter, who constituted the
sample size through a census approach. Data were analysed using frequency,
percentage, and mean. Findings revealed that journalists are fully aware of factchecking platforms and generally perceive them as useful and reliable tools for
improving accuracy and credibility in news reporting. However, despite this
positive perception, actual usage is moderated by newsroom pressures, time
constraints, and the demand for rapid reporting. The study further found that
journalists' perception of fact-checking significantly influences their judgement of news credibility, as those who trust and value these tools are more likely to produce
and validate credible news content. The study concludes that while fact-checking
platforms are widely recognised in journalism practice, their impact on credibility is
largely shaped by perception and practical newsroom realities rather than awareness
alone. |
