NJOMACS

This research study is an appraisal of fact-checking tools in countering fake news in Nigerian Newspapers evaluated the adoption and effectiveness of fact-checking tools in tackling the spread of fake news in Nigeria. In supporting this position paper, the researchers sourced information from books, journals, library archives, and other library research by reviewing literature and empirical studies on fact-checking and fake news. The study was further anchored on the social responsibility theory of the press and the diffusion of innovation theory. While the first theory holds that journalists should be the watchdog of society in disseminating news in the society but should do that with all sense of responsibility, the second theory speaks to the adoption of innovation, in this case, fact-checking to tackle fake news. Findings revealed that fake news has extremely negative effects as it affects societal values while promoting the acceptability of odd or foreign values. However, the adoption of fact-checking across newsrooms is relatively slow in Nigeria compared to the adoption level in the United States and Asia. The low adoption is because most newspapers have not made it a routine publication but seasonal, especially during elections or when a famous public official makes a claim. From the findings of the study, this research concluded that there is an imperative for fact-checking to curb the prevalence of fake news. While newspaper publishers in Nigeria are beginning to adopt fact-checking in their newsrooms, the practice is still low compared to its adoption level in the United States and Asian countries. It was thus recommended among others, that media houses should collaborate more with independent fact-checking organisations to increase fact-checked reports.