Vol. 11(5), pp. 118 --123 July, 2023. 

ISSN: 2360-7858

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijalis2023100

 

Full Length Research

 

Abstract

In this era of new media technologies where access to information and the distribution of same have become very easy, there is an increase in the spread of malicious and harmful information product which tend to pose a threat to the existing democratic experience. Since the return of democracy in 1999 after its disruption a couple of times by the military, it is spanning over 22 years now of continues democratic journey uninterrupted, freedom of speech has been in place, so is the quantity of information in circulation. This paper identifies different forms of information misuse such as misinformation, malinformation, disinformation, hoaxes, propaganda, and fake news etc and they are inimical to Nigeria’s democracy. The peddlers of information misuse aim at gaining political advantage, malicious intention to cause crises, to become famous, for economic gains and above all, to destroy democratic structure. The consequences highlighted include; erosion of trust among the people, manipulation of public opinions, weakening democratic established institutions, polarization of the society, etc. To curb these, librarians’ role as information professionals include; providing citizens’ enlightenment and engagement, leading digital literacy and online safety training, teaching fact-checking techniques and collaboration with other professional bodies. Finally, it is recommended that librarians should brace up with new technologies and win the confidence of the people through the provision of accurate and reliable information, laws should be enacted to sanction the perpetrators and there should be deliberate effort at building libraries that are accessible all over the country.

 

Keywords: Information misuse, democracy, library professionals, new media, Nigeria

 

	Cite This Article As: Dodo, M., Buba, I (2023). Effect of Information Misuse in an Era of New Media Technologies and Nigeria’s Democratic Experience: Role of Library Professionals. Inter. J. Acad. Lib. Info. Sci. 11(5): 118-123