Perception and Credibility of citizen journalism among Mass Communication students and Journalists of ABU Samaru FM

Abstract

The advent of new media technologies and the internet has provided a seamless platform for citizens of a country to be actively involved in the collection, reporting, and dissemination of information that affects society, working together with others. This study examined the concept of citizen journalism and further examined the credibility of citizen journalism in the Nigerian media landscape through a holistic approach, drawing data from ABU FM Samaru 101.1 and undergraduate mass communication students at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The SurveyMonkey online sample size calculator was used to determine the study’s 225 respondents, based on a total student population of 750. The study, grounded in source-credibility theory as its theoretical framework, employed a mixed research methodology that combined quantitative survey and interview methods. A questionnaire was issued to the 255 respondents, and interviews were conducted with three professional journalists from ABU Samaru FM Radio 101.1. Findings from this study revealed that citizen journalism in Nigeria is a credible source of news. However, it should be treated with caution, especially when addressing critical issues that concern society as a whole. Additionally, findings indicate that citizen journalism patterns of news reportage are brief and supplementary, whereas mainstream journalism patterns of news are in-depth and more insightful. Importantly, the study's findings concur that the source of news has a significant influence on its credibility. The study therefore recommends that gatekeeping, source credibility, information verification, and journalism training will further enhance the credibility of citizen journalism in the Nigerian media landscape.