Owerri Residents’ Perception of the Transmission of Information via Social Media during COVID-19

Abstract

The researchers sought to examine Imo residents’ perception of social media information
dissemination amidst COVID-19 pandemic era. The technological determinism theory was
adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The survey research design was employed.
Population of the study comprised 555,500 residents in Owerri metropolis. The Wimmer &
Dominick sample size calculator was used to derive 384 as the sample size. Questionnaire was
used as the instrument for data collection and the multistage sampling technique was adopted.
Findings revealed that at an average of 56% respondents believed that social media has played
significant role in the information overload experienced during the peak of the pandemic. Not
only that, but the social media information were not fact checked before dissemination and this
resulted to spread of fake news and misinformation. Further findings revealed that at an average
of 53% respondents confirmed that to large extent social media information and dissemination on
COVID-19 influenced Imo residents’ behaviour towards practicing COVID-19 guidelines such as
hand washing among others. It was recommended that, the fact social media users enjoy lots of
freedom, give them the opportunity to use it to spread all sorts of information which sometimes
are fake. To curb this trend, fact checker should be made available on all social media handles so
as to minimise the spread of misinformation.