Project – Influence of Online News Platforms on Political Awareness Among Youths: A Case Study of Selected Undergraduates at the University of Lagos.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The media play an important role in democratic society by providing information about government activities, political parties, public policies, elections and issues affecting citizens. Political awareness refers to the extent to which individuals possess knowledge of political institutions, public affairs, political leaders, government policies and processes through which political decisions are made. It helps citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, evaluate political claims and make informed decisions about participation in public life. Delli Carpini and Keeter (1996) explain that political knowledge is an important resource for meaningful democratic participation because it enables citizens to understand political choices and evaluate political actors. In contemporary society, political information is no longer obtained exclusively from newspapers, radio and television; online news platforms have expanded the ways people encounter and discuss political developments. This shift makes it important to examine how online news consumption relates to political awareness, particularly among young people in higher institutions.

Online news platforms include digital newspaper websites, online broadcasting services, news blogs, news applications and news content distributed through social networking platforms. They enable users to access news updates quickly, search for information about particular issues and encounter different perspectives on political events. Unlike traditional media, many online platforms allow users to comment on news stories, share reports with their networks and respond to political information in real time. Newman et al. (2024), in the Digital News Report 2024, document the continuing significance of digital and social platforms in the changing news environment across countries. The growth of online news has increased the speed and convenience of accessing political information, although it has also raised concerns about misinformation, fragmented news exposure and differences in the credibility of online sources. Consequently, the relationship between online news platforms and political awareness depends not only on the availability of information but also on what users encounter, how they interpret it and whether they can distinguish reliable reporting from misleading content.

The relationship between news consumption and political awareness can be explained through communication theories that emphasise the role of media in directing attention to public issues. McCombs and Shaw (1972), in their foundational agenda-setting study, demonstrated that the prominence given to issues in the news can be associated with the issues audiences regard as important. Applied to online news, repeated exposure to reports about elections, public policy, corruption, security, education and economic conditions may increase the attention young people give to these subjects. However, awareness of an issue is not necessarily the same as detailed political knowledge or agreement with a particular political position. Online platforms may make some issues highly visible while giving less attention to others, and users’ existing interests can influence what they read. Therefore, examining online news and political awareness requires attention to the frequency of exposure, the range of political topics encountered and the extent to which students understand the information presented.

Young people are an important group in democratic development because their political knowledge and attitudes may influence voting decisions, civic participation and future engagement with public institutions. University undergraduates are particularly relevant to this discussion because their educational environment exposes them to public debate, different viewpoints and information about national and international affairs. At the same time, their use of digital devices and online communication platforms can make digital news an accessible source of information. Odunlami (2014), in a study of media access and exposure as determinants of political knowledge among undergraduates in selected universities in southwestern Nigeria, found that exposure to electronic media predicted political knowledge and behaviour more strongly than print media in the study sample. Similarly, Olusoji, Ayandele, and Popoola (2020) examined media use and political knowledge among students in Ibadan and found that media access was relevant to political knowledge, although the relationship differed across media types. These findings indicate that the media environment can contribute to students’ political learning, but the effect may vary according to the sources used and the nature of the information consumed.

In Nigeria, online news platforms have become important channels for discussing elections, public policy, political leadership and national affairs. News websites, blogs and social media accounts of established media organisations allow young people to follow political events beyond scheduled radio or television broadcasts. Research on Nigerian youths’ media use has shown that social platforms are frequently used to encounter news, although users may differ in how much they trust the information received. Akoja and Nwenearizi (2021), in their study of youths’ perceptions of social media as a credible news source in Lagos, found that respondents frequently accessed news through social media and generally expressed moderate perceptions of platform credibility. Their findings highlight the need to consider both access and trust when examining political awareness. A student may frequently encounter political news online but still possess limited understanding of the issue if the content is incomplete, inaccurate or consumed without verification.

The digital news environment also creates opportunities for political discussion and exposure to information from multiple sources. Online platforms allow students to follow political debates, compare reports from different media organisations, access official announcements and participate in discussions about public affairs. Research by Mande et al. (2022) on social media content preferences and political participation among Nigerian youths found that preferences for news and entertainment content were significant predictors of political participation among the respondents. Akeusola (2024), examining online activism and political knowledge among Nigerian youths during the 2023 elections, also reported a positive association between online activism and political knowledge, with exposure to diverse online information sources playing an important role in the relationship. These studies suggest that digital information environments may support political awareness when young people engage with relevant content and encounter diverse sources. Nevertheless, political participation, political activism and political awareness are related but distinct concepts; the extent to which online news platforms improve students’ understanding of political affairs requires specific investigation.

The University of Lagos provides a relevant setting for investigating the influence of online news platforms on political awareness among undergraduates. As a major Nigerian university located in Lagos, it brings together students from different social, educational, economic and political backgrounds. Undergraduates may obtain political information from online newspapers, news websites, digital television services, blogs and social media pages operated by news organisations. However, their patterns of use may differ according to political interest, digital access, academic discipline, trust in news sources and the amount of time they devote to following public affairs. Adekannbi and Agbolabori (2018), in their study of internet news consumption among undergraduates in Nigerian public universities, including institutions in Lagos State, found that mobile phones were widely used for online news and that Facebook was a popular platform for news consumption. Such findings provide a useful basis for examining how undergraduates at the University of Lagos access political news and whether that exposure is associated with greater awareness of political institutions, leaders, policies and current affairs.

Despite the opportunities presented by online news platforms, increased access to political information does not automatically produce accurate political awareness. Students may encounter misleading headlines, partisan commentary, manipulated content or unverified claims that distort their understanding of political events. The volume and speed of online information can also make it difficult to assess the credibility of every report, particularly when users rely on content shared by friends or anonymous accounts. Delli Carpini and Keeter (1996) emphasise the importance of political knowledge for informed democratic participation, while Akoja and Nwenearizi (2021) highlight the relevance of credibility in young people’s use of social media as a news source. In light of these concerns, this study examines the influence of online news platforms on political awareness among selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos, focusing on patterns of online news use, exposure to political content, perceived credibility of information and students’ understanding of political affairs.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Political awareness is essential to democratic participation because citizens need reliable information to understand government activities, evaluate political leaders and make informed decisions about public affairs. Online news platforms have increased the speed and accessibility of political information, allowing undergraduates to follow elections, public policies, political debates and government decisions through digital devices. However, access to political news does not necessarily mean that students possess adequate political knowledge or understand the implications of the information they encounter. Delli Carpini and Keeter (1996) explain that political knowledge is an important foundation for informed democratic participation. The problem, therefore, is not simply whether undergraduates use online news platforms, but whether their exposure to political news contributes to meaningful awareness of political institutions, leaders, policies and current affairs.

A further concern is the credibility of political information circulating online. Although established news organisations publish reports through digital platforms, students may also encounter partisan commentary, misleading headlines, rumours and unverified political claims. Such content may create confusion or encourage inaccurate perceptions of political events. Akoja and Nwenearizi (2021), in their study of youths’ perceptions of social media as a credible news source in Lagos, found that young people frequently accessed news through social media but expressed varying levels of confidence in its credibility. This suggests that frequent exposure to online news should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of accurate political awareness. It is necessary to consider whether students evaluate their sources, compare information across platforms and distinguish verified reports from misleading content.

Although existing studies have investigated media exposure, online news consumption and political knowledge among Nigerian students and youths, their findings have addressed different populations, media types and outcomes. Odunlami (2014) examined media access and exposure as determinants of political knowledge among undergraduates in southwestern Nigeria, while Olusoji et al. (2020) investigated the relationship between media use and political knowledge among students in Ibadan. Adekannbi and Agbolabori (2018) also examined internet news consumption among undergraduates in Nigerian public universities. These studies provide a useful foundation, but there remains a need to examine the specific relationship between online news platforms and political awareness among selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos. The use of online news platforms may differ according to students’ political interests, frequency of exposure, source preferences and perceptions of credibility.

The central problem addressed by this study is the need to determine how online news platforms influence political awareness among selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos. Specifically, the study will investigate the relationship between the frequency of online news consumption, exposure to political news, perceived credibility of online information and students’ awareness of political institutions, public policies and current affairs. It will also recognise that political awareness may be influenced by factors beyond online news, including family discussions, classroom learning, peer interactions and traditional media exposure. By examining students’ experiences, the study seeks to provide evidence on the role of online news platforms in political learning and identify concerns that may limit their contribution to informed political awareness.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 Aim of the Study

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of online news platforms on political awareness among selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the extent to which selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos use online news platforms to obtain political information.

2. Determine the relationship between exposure to political news on online platforms and students’ political awareness.

3. Assess the influence of perceived credibility of online news on political awareness among the selected undergraduates.

4. Investigate the relationship between students’ engagement with online political news and their understanding of political institutions, public policies and current affairs.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

1. To what extent do selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos use online news platforms to obtain political information?

2. What is the relationship between exposure to political news on online platforms and students’ political awareness?

3. How does the perceived credibility of online news influence political awareness among the selected undergraduates?

4. What is the relationship between students’ engagement with online political news and their understanding of political institutions, public policies and current affairs?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested:

H₀: There is no statistically significant relationship between exposure to political news on online news platforms and political awareness among selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is expected to be useful to undergraduates, university management, online news organisations, media literacy practitioners, policymakers and future researchers.

Undergraduates: The study may help students understand how online news consumption relates to their political awareness. It may encourage them to evaluate the credibility of political information, consult multiple sources and distinguish factual reporting from opinion and unverified claims. Delli Carpini and Keeter (1996) emphasise the importance of political knowledge for meaningful participation in democratic life.

University management and lecturers: The findings may provide insights into students’ political information habits and the challenges they face when assessing online news. The findings may support initiatives that promote media literacy, critical thinking and informed discussion of public affairs within the university environment.

Online news organisations: The study may help digital news publishers understand how undergraduates access and evaluate political information. It may encourage stronger verification practices, transparent sourcing, clear reporting and content that explains political developments in ways that are accessible to young audiences.

Media literacy practitioners: The findings may help organisations and educators develop programmes that teach students how to evaluate online sources, recognise misinformation and verify political claims. Such programmes may strengthen the ability of young people to make informed judgements about political information.

Policymakers and civic education organisations: The study may contribute to understanding how online information environments relate to political awareness among young adults. It may provide useful evidence for initiatives aimed at promoting informed citizenship, responsible media use and constructive democratic engagement.

Researchers and students: The study may contribute to academic literature on online news consumption and political awareness in Nigeria. It may also provide a basis for future research comparing students from different universities, media platforms and demographic groups.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the influence of online news platforms on political awareness among selected undergraduates at the University of Lagos. It examines students’ use of online news sources, exposure to political information, perceptions of news credibility and understanding of political institutions, public policies and current affairs.

The geographical scope is the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria. The population of interest comprises selected undergraduate students who use or encounter online news platforms. The study will focus on digital news websites, online newspaper platforms, news applications, news blogs and social media channels through which political news is accessed.

The findings will be interpreted in relation to the selected respondents and the research methods used. They will not automatically be generalised to all undergraduates in Nigeria or to young people who are not enrolled in tertiary institutions.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

One possible limitation is that respondents may not accurately remember how frequently they access online news or the specific political information they have encountered. The study will reduce this risk by using clear questionnaire items and, where appropriate, asking about recent news-consumption habits.

Another limitation is the variation in students’ political interests, digital access, academic backgrounds and media literacy. These differences may influence both exposure to online news and levels of political awareness. The study should therefore describe the sampling procedure and respondent characteristics clearly.

The study may also face difficulties distinguishing the influence of online news platforms from other sources of political information, such as radio, television, classroom discussions, family conversations and peer networks. Since political awareness may develop through several channels, any observed relationship between online news exposure and political awareness should be interpreted carefully. If the study uses a cross-sectional survey, it will be more appropriate to report statistical associations than to claim that online news exposure alone causes changes in political awareness.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Online news platforms: Digital websites, applications and online channels through which news reports and current-affairs information are published, distributed and accessed.

Political awareness: The level of a person’s knowledge and understanding of political institutions, public policies, political leaders, elections and current political developments.

Youths: Young people who fall within the age range specified by the study. For this research, the term refers to the selected undergraduate respondents, subject to the age criteria used in the sampling procedure.

Undergraduates: Students enrolled in undergraduate degree programmes at the University of Lagos.

Political news: News content relating to elections, political parties, government institutions, public policies, political leaders, governance and public affairs.

News exposure: The extent to which individuals encounter or access news content through online platforms, including the frequency and duration of their use.

News credibility: The degree to which an individual considers a news source or news report accurate, trustworthy, balanced and reliable.

Political knowledge: Information a person possesses about political institutions, leaders, policies, elections and government processes. It is a component of political awareness, but the two concepts are not identical.

Online news engagement: The ways individuals interact with online news, including reading reports, watching news videos, commenting, sharing stories, following news accounts and discussing political information.

Political participation: Activities through which individuals engage with political processes, including voting, political discussion, contacting representatives, joining lawful civic activities and participating in political campaigns

Project – Influence of Online News Platforms on Political Awareness Among Youths: A Case Study of Selected Undergraduates at the University of Lagos.