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Governmental actions to address COVID-19 misinformation

Since COVID-19 emerged, a plethora of misinformation has undermined the public’s ability to identify reliable sources of accurate information. To identify the range of methods governments used to address COVID-19 misinformation, we conducted a content analysis of international media and evaluated go...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Pomeranz, Jennifer L., Schwid, Aaron R.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Palgrave Macmillan UK 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7841970/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33510401
http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/s41271-020-00270-x
Descripción
Sumario:Since COVID-19 emerged, a plethora of misinformation has undermined the public’s ability to identify reliable sources of accurate information. To identify the range of methods governments used to address COVID-19 misinformation, we conducted a content analysis of international media and evaluated government actions in light of international law, which protects freedom of expression and calls on governments to guarantee this fundamental right even during a pandemic or other emergency. We identified five categories of government activities: (1) disseminating and increasing access to accurate information; (2) restricting access to accurate information; (3) disseminating disinformation, false information, and misinformation; (4) addressing commercial fraud; and (5) criminalizing expression. The goal of addressing COVID-19 misinformation is best served by protecting expression, disseminating factual information, ensuring strong protections for whistleblowers, and supporting an independent media environment. Conversely, governments undermine public health when they create a state of uncertainty and violate human rights. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1057/s41271-020-00270-x.