Perceived Credibility of Citizen Journalism Content on Social Media Platforms: The Perspective of Facebook Users

Abstract

This study investigates the perceived credibility of citizen journalism content disseminated through the social networking platform Facebook. Specifically, it examines the extent to which users trust such content, considering citizen journalism as a communication phenomenon driven by advances in information and communication technologies, where ordinary citizens assume the role of content producers rather than merely information consumers. This transformation has introduced new challenges to traditional media by positioning citizen journalism as a potential competitor within the contemporary media landscape.

To achieve the objectives of the study, a descriptive survey design was employed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of 40 Facebook users from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Jijel.

The findings reveal that respondents generally express limited confidence in citizen journalism, primarily due to the frequent dissemination of false or misleading information. Despite the growing use of citizen journalism, a substantial majority of participants (77.5%) continue to place greater trust in traditional media. Nevertheless, more than half of the respondents (57.5%) reported relying on citizen journalism as a source of information, reflecting its increasing presence and influence within the contemporary digital communication environment.