Combating Fake News (FN) in the Society: The Roles of Librarians

Authors

  • Sylvester Israel Ebhonu University Library Coordinator, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Delta State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1006-453X
  • Ufuoma D Onobrakpor University Library, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8223-9661

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/

Keywords:

ake News (FN), Social media, Internet

Abstract

It is no longer a new phenomenon that Fake News (FN) has assumed a worrisome dimension in recent  times. The emergence of Internet and the proliferation of social media have worsened the situation as  information users now receive and communicate information without any restriction making total  eradication of FN absolutely impossible. Librarians cannot stop the spread of FN. However, there are roles that librarians can play to help reduce or control the spread of FN. This paper therefore reviewed  literature relating to FN and the roles of librarians in combating FN. Effort was made to understand  the concept of FN, properties of FN, global and Nigerian scenarios, effects of FN on societal  development and roles of librarians in combating FN. Consequently, the paper recommends the  adoption of the 3Ds, librarians should intensify their information verification and fact checking roles as  this will ensure the genuineness of information materials before they are circulated by librarians to the  users among others. 

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Published

2021-10-11

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 2 (2021): Library Progress (International) (Jul-Dec) 2021

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Combating Fake News (FN) in the Society: The Roles of Librarians . (2021). Library Progress (International), 41(2), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.48165/