The Influence Of Online News On Voting Decisions Of Students In Presidential Elections In Ghana: A Study Of The University Of Media, Arts And Communications

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of online news on the voting decisions of students in presidential elections in Ghana, with specific reference to the University of Media, Arts and Communications. The main objective was to determine whether online news affects voting behaviour, while also examining student preferences between online and traditional media. A review of existing scholarship, including works by Bandipo (2015), Fujiwara, Muller and Schwarz (2022), and Amenyeawu, provided a comparative framework. Methodologically, the research was 90% qualitative, employing open- and closed-ended questions, with responses coded thematically and analysed quantitatively using SPSS. Grounded in agenda-setting theory, the findings reveal that although students prefer online news due to convenience, it does not significantly influence their voting decisions, which are instead shaped by the direct benefits of community-based projects. The study contributes to knowledge by offering the first focused analysis of online news and student voting behaviour in Ghana. It recommends that political communication targeting students should prioritise accessibility across platforms, with greater emphasis on online advertising. Future research should examine alternative factors influencing student voting behaviour and explore why students consume political news online so extensively despite its limited electoral impact.