Digital Misinformation and Its Effects on Intergroup Relations in Plateau State: An Empirical Study

This study empirically examines the relationship between digital misinformation exposure and intergroup relations between farming and herding communities in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Farmer-herder conflict in Plateau State has been significantly exacerbated by social media misinformation that incites violence, distorts events, and prevents reconciliation between affected communities. This study addresses the empirical gap in understanding how misinformation exposure at the individual level affects intergroup trust, prejudice, and willingness to engage in peacebuilding activities. A survey of 460 respondents from farming (Berom) and herding (Fulani) communities in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and Jos South local government areas measures misinformation exposure (frequency and source), corrective media consumption, intergroup trust, affective prejudice, and behavioural peacebuilding intentions. Structural equation modelling tests the hypothesised causal pathway from misinformation exposure through perceived threat to intergroup outcomes. Findings reveal that misinformation exposure significantly increases perceived threat from the outgroup, which in turn reduces intergroup trust and increases prejudice, consistent with the contact-threat-prejudice pathway. Corrective journalism and verified information consumption significantly moderate the misinformation-prejudice relationship. Cross-group friendship mediates the relationship between misinformation and behavioural peacebuilding intentions. WhatsApp misinformation shows stronger intergroup effects than Facebook or Twitter content. The study contributes an original structural model of misinformation-intergroup dynamics and recommends community-specific misinformation correction campaigns integrated with face-to-face dialogue programmes in conflict-affected Plateau State communities.

Keywords: digital misinformation, intergroup relations, Plateau State, farmer-herder conflict, prejudice.