Online Toxicity: Scarification of Political Opponents using Fake News

Abstract

Fake news has always trolled election seasons in Nigeria. The situation is more widespread fueled by internet technologies
that are used by aspirants and their supporters. Once again Nigeria is experiencing a tense and difficult moment as the
momentum to the 2023 general elections which takes place in February picks up. False information, media propaganda,
divisive comments and conflicts are rife in many quarters. Rather than campaigns to be a moment to engage and test the
political intelligence and capability of aspirants, it is used for throwing banters that are meant to mutilate the opposition
party, actions that are inimical to the nation's democracy. This paper therefore looks at the harm fake news in social media has
on influencing electorates' choice of political leaders in the forthcoming elections in Nigeria. Hence, this paper explores the
concepts of fake news and democracy with regard to freedom of speech from a Nigerian context through a review of extant
literature. In conclusion, several propositions were made, and a conceptual framework was designed for future research to
explore the concept and empirically proffer solutions to the growing menace.