Influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge on public adoption of Nigerian government’s COVID-19 containment policies | Intellect Skip to content
1981
Media and the Coronavirus Pandemic in Africa (Part One)
  • ISSN: 2040-199X
  • E-ISSN: 1751-7974

Abstract

This study examined the individual and collective influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge revolving around COVID-19, on public adoption of the Nigerian government’s containment policies. The study adopted the Survey, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. For the survey, a sample of 466 respondents were drawn from Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, while 24 participants were selected for the FGD. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic approach were used to analyse data generated from the study. Results revealed a COVID-19 conspiratorial thinking among survey respondents and FGD participants, who were also familiar with the orgy of unbridled dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the social media space. Majority of respondents were knowledgeable about government’s COVID-19 containment policies and were practicing the recommended safety measures. Their decision was influenced by trust in opinion leaders, especially family members and medical experts.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/jams_00048_1
2021-06-01
2024-03-29
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Amobi, T.,, Obia, V.,, Udodi, L., and Akinuliola, O.. ( 2020;), ‘ Media and the menace of information disorder in Nigeria’s public sphere. ’, in U. Pate,, L. Oso,, I. Okoye,, A. Ogwezzy-Ndisika, and F. Yusuf. (eds), Media a La Carte: Essays in Honour of Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, Ibadan:: Stirling-Horden Publishers Ltd;., pp. 62242.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Amzat, J.,, Aminu, K.,, Kolo, V.,, Akinyele, A.,, Ogundairo, J., and Danjibo, M.. ( 2020;), ‘ Coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria: Burden and socio-medical response during the first 100 days. ’, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 98, pp. 21824.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Andrew, A.,, Armand, A.,, Augsburg, B, and Taveras, I. K.. ( 2020;), ‘ Challenges of adopting coronavirus precautions in low-income countries. ’, Institute for Fiscal Studies;, https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/14779. Accessed 12 September 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Article 19 ( 2020;), ‘ Viral lies: Misinformation and the coronavirus. ’, March, https://www.article19.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-briefing.pdf. Accessed 12 September 2020.
  5. Baekkeskov, E., and Rubin, O.. ( 2014;), ‘ Why pandemic response is unique: Powerful experts and hands-off political leaders. ’, Disaster Prevention and Management, 23:1, pp. 8193.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Bruns, A.,, Harrington, S., and Hurcombe, E.. ( 2020;), ‘ Corona? 5G? or both?’: The dynamics of COVID-19/5G conspiracy theories on Facebook. ’, Media International Australia, 177:1, pp. 1229.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( 2020;), ‘ CDC COVID data tracker. ’, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper 100klast 7days. Accessed 15 August 2020.
  8. Centre for Democracy and Development ( 2020;), ‘ Health misinformation: False stories from Ebola to coronavirus. ’, The Cable, 24 March, https://www.thecable.ng/health-misinformation-false-stories-from-ebola-to-coronavirus. Accessed 15 August 2020.
  9. Cirrincione, L.,, Plescia, F.,, Ledda, C.,, Rapisarda, V.,, Martorana, D.,, Moldovan, E. R.,, Theodoridou, K., and Cannizzaro, E.. ( 2020;), ‘ COVID-19 pandemic: Prevention and protection measures to be adopted at the workplace. ’, Sustainability, 12:9, pp. 118.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Darnton, R.. ( 2017;), ‘ The true history of fake news. ’, The New York Review, 13 February, https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2017/02/13/the-true-history-of-fake-news/. Accessed 15 August 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Douglas, K. M.,, Sutton, R. M., and Cichocka, A.. ( 2017;), ‘ The psychology of conspiracy theories. ’, Journal of Association of Psychological Science, 26:6, pp. 53842.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Freeman, D.,, Waite, F.,, Rosebrock, L.,, Petit, A.,, Causier, C.,, East, A.,, Jenner, L.,, Ashley-Teale, L.,, Carr, L.,, Mulhall, S.,, Bold, E., and Lambe, S.. ( 2020;), ‘ Coronavirus conspiracy beliefs, mistrust, and compliance with government guidelines in England. ’, Psychological Medicine, pp. 113, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720001890. Accessed 15 August 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. GOV.UK ( 2020;), ‘ Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. ’, https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/deaths. Accessed 15 August 2020.
  14. Ireton, C., and Posetti, J.. ( 2018), Journalism, Fake News and Disinformation: Handbook for Journalism Education and Training, Paris:: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Jones, C.,, Jensen, J.,, Scherr, C.,, Brown, N.,, Christy, K., and Weaver, J.. ( 2015;), ‘ The health belief model as an explanatory framework in communication research: Exploring parallel, serial, and moderated mediation. ’, Health Communication, 30:6, pp. 56676.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Machidaa, M.,, Nakamurab,, I., Saitoc, R.,, Nakayad, T.,, Hanibuchid, T.,, Takamiyaa, T.,, Odagiria, Y.,, Fukushimaa, N.,, Kikuchia, H.,, Kojimae, T.,, Watanabeb, H., and Inouea, S.. ( 2020;), ‘ Adoption of personal protective measures by ordinary citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak in Japan. ’, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 94:1, pp. 13944.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Mian, A., and Khan, S.. ( 2020;), ‘ Coronavirus: The spread of misinformation. ’, BMC Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01556-3. Accessed 15 August 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Nigeria Center for Disease Control ( 2020a), COVID-19 Nigeria, https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/. Accessed 19 September 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Nigeria Center for Disease Control ( 2020b;), ‘ Nigeria resource mobilisation tracker. ’, https://statehouse.gov.ng/covid19/. Accessed 19 September 2020.
  20. Nyilasy, G.. ( 2019;), ‘ Fake news: When the dark side of persuasion takes over. ’, International Journal of Advertising, 38:2, pp. 33642, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332935397_Fake_news_When_the_dark_side_of_persuasion_takes_over. Accessed 15 August 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Olorunfemi, S.. ( 2020;), ‘ Covid-19: Conspiracy theories and lackluster global responses. ’, E- International Relations, 7 August, https://www.e-ir.info/2020/08/07/covid-19-conspiracy-theories-and-lacklustre-global-responses/. Accessed 19 September 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Ozdemir, S.,, Ng, S.,, Chaudhry, I., and Finkelstein, E. A.. ( 2020;), ‘ Adoption of preventive behaviour strategies and public perceptions about COVID-19 in Singapore. ’, International Journal of Health Policy and Management, https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3935.html. Accessed 10 November 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Posetti, J., and Matthews, A.. ( 2018;), ‘ A short guide to the history of fake news and disinformation. ’, International Centre for Journalists, https://www.rcmediafreedom.eu/Publications/Manuals/A-Short-Guide-to-the-History-of-Fake-News-and-Disinformation. Accessed 10 November 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Science Daily ( 2020;), ‘ COVID-19: Social dilemmas about protective measures. ’, 2 October, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002093837.htm. Accessed 2 October 2020.
  25. Shahsavari, S.,, Holur, P.,, Wang, T.,, Tangherlini, T. R., and Roychowdhury, V.. ( 2020;), ‘ Conspiracy in the time of corona: Automatic detection of emerging Covid-19 conspiracy theories in social media and the news. ’, Journal of Computational Social Science, 3:5, pp. 279317.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Turk, Z.. ( 2018;), ‘ Technology as enabler of fake news and a potential tool to combat it. ’, Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies;, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/supporting-analyses. Accessed 2 October 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. United States Census ( 2020a;), ‘ U.S. and world population clock. ’, https://www.census.gov/popclock/. Accessed 4 November 2020.
  28. United States Census ( 2020b;), ‘ U.S. and world population clock. ’, https://www.census.gov/popclock/world/uk. Accessed 4 November 2020.
  29. Vidon, T. S.. ( 2020;), ‘ Conspiracy theories and fake news: Fighting the Covid-19 “infodemic”. ’, France, 24, 26 April, https://www.france24.com/en/20200426-conspiracy-theories-and-fake-news-fighting-the-covid-19-infodemic. Accessed 30 April 2020.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. World Health Organization ( 2020;), ‘ COVID-19 strategy update. ’, https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/covid-19-strategy-update---14-april-2020. Accessed 10 July 2020.
  31. Amobi, Ifeoma Theresa,, Mustapha, Lambe Kayode,, Udodi, Lilian Adaora,, Akinuliola-Aweda, Oluwakemi,, Adesulure, Mogbonjubade Esther, and Okoye, Innocent. ( 2021;), ‘ Influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge on public adoption of Nigerian government’s COVID-19 containment policies. ’, Journal of African Media Studies, 13:2, pp. 26985, doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/jams_00048_1
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/jams_00048_1
Loading
/content/journals/10.1386/jams_00048_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error