INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON NEWSPAPER READERSHIP AMONG RESIDENTS OF OLUYOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN

The proliferation of social media has transformed news consumption patterns, posing a significant challenge to traditional newspaper readership. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, newspaper circulation and readership continue to decline. This study examined the influence of social media on newspaper readership among residents of Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan. Guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory, the study employed a descriptive survey design with a sample of 399 respondents selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that WhatsApp (77.3%) was the most frequently used social media platform among respondents. Results further indicated that 46.7% of respondents believe social media spreads fake news rapidly, while 34.7% reported depending primarily on social media as their main source of news. The study recommends that newspapers enhance their online presence to engage wider audiences and that media literacy programmes be promoted to strengthen the ability of readers to identify fake news