ABSTRACT
This study unpacked the extent to which the Nigerian state – presidency engages in the spread of fake news and propaganda and interrogates if this has a ripple effect on citizens' (dis)trust on democracy. First, the research uses ten (N = 10) cases of fake news propelled by state officials in the media space in Nigeria, then conducts a quantitative interview with 50 (N = 50) Nigerians, examining whether their knowledge of state-sponsored fake news affects their trust on democracy amidst the unintended consequences. The study concluded by unearthing a high prevalence of presidential propaganda and dis/misinformation with a corresponding citizens' distrust on presidential communication, democracy and public policy.
