International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Voters worldwide are usually exposed to news items during any election. Some of the news appear to influence their voting choices. Some voters may not be highly exposed to political news and what determines voters’ choices may vary according to different motivations.
Objective: This study investigated exposure to political news and its influence on voters’ choice of candidates during the 2023 presidential elections in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Method: The study employed descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 7,476, 800. The study employed the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula to arrive at a sample size. Participants were selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire served as instrument for data collection. Collected data were analysed using the Weighted Mean Score. Results: There was high level of exposure to political news during the 2023 presidential elections among residents of Rivers State, Nigeria. There was significant relationship between exposure to political news of the 2023 presidential election and the voting choices of electorate in Rivers State during the election. Again, issues that made news during the electioneering such as the state of the economy, insecurity, education, infrastructure and corruption, were the major factors that motivated voters’ voting choices in Rivers State.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that exposure to the news media influenced voters’ choice of candidates during the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Unique Contribution: The study offers fresh insights into how the news media set agenda for public’s thoughts and discussions which translates into actions during issues of major national importance such as national elections. It is therefore hoped that policymakers and key stakeholders such as the government, electoral bodies, politicians, political parties, media practitioners, researchers and the general public would find this fresh insights useful in making decisions for future elections.
Key Recommendation: There is need for deliberate efforts by media managers at improving and sustaining media credibility through positive agenda setting for societal development. Efforts should also be channelled at presenting objective and unbiased news analysis and interpretations to guide the society in making informed and right decisions at defining moments such as election period.