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Articles

CJOC: VOL. 9 NO. 2, DECEMBER 2022

Fake news and political propaganda in the public sphere: An analysis of the Ghanaian media

Submitted
January 29, 2023
Published
2023-01-29

Abstract

The distrust for journalism practice owing to the prevalence of fake news and propaganda is a concern that needs addressing. This study explores this concern in the context of Ghana’s 2006 and 2020 presidential elections. Some 230 journalists serving in dominant outlets responded to questionnaire items on the spread of fake news and the attendant policy/legal curbs, as well as how to control the menace. Findings expose the proposition that economic and political reasons do drive the production and dissemination of fake news, as 72.17 percent of the respondents claimed that the rush to break the news was a major factor. Results also show that the dominant New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) exploited fake news to their advantage, with social media showing up as a major driver of the threat. Periodic media literacy training, the strengthening of professional ethical practice, and a solid fact-checking culture can deescalate Ghana’s penchant for propaganda and fake news. This study can assist researchers and citizens who need an update on the subject.