Abstract

This study investigates the influence of social media trolling on freedom of expression and misinformation dissemination during the 2023 Nigerian presidential campaign. Grounded in the Spiral of Silence Theory, Public Sphere, and Chilling Effect, it examines how trolling on Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok shaped political discourse and the spread of false information. Using a quantitative approach, the study employed a survey method to gather data through a questionnaire administered through an online survey platform (Google Form) to 357 Nigerian social media users, who were purposively selected because they actively followed the presidential campaign between September 2022 and March 2023. Findings from this study revealed that trolling was primarily driven by political supporters, opponents, trolls, and influencers, while foreign actors played a minimal role. Trolling manifested through personal attacks, hateful comments, and harassment, discouraging users from expressing political opinions. Additionally, the study confirmed that trolling fueled misinformation via fake accounts, manipulated content, and misleading narratives. The study concluded that social media trolling significantly undermined free speech and facilitated misinformation, highlighting the need for stronger regulatory measures and further research to protect digital political discourse. This necessitates better policies and innovations to curb online trolling, protect free speech, and combat misinformation in the digital public sphere.

Key Words: Social Media Trolling, Freedom of Expression, Misinformation, Nigerian Elections, Digital Political Discourse

About the Author

* Oluwaseun Samuel Aleshinloye is a doctoral student in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. His research focuses on public health messaging, news distortion, misinformation, online incivility, and message persuasion in risk communication.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, Special Issue 4, January 2026, pp. 22-37.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Aleshinloye, O. S. (2026). Trolling on social media and its influence on freedom of expression and misinformation during the 2023 Nigerian presidential campaign. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1, SP.4): 22-37.

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