journal.kommunikation-medien / Misinformation in the Digital Age : The COVID-19 Infodemic

Open Access

Abstract

With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, a flood of information ensued in traditional and digital media, a lot of which is unsourced or scientifically inaccurate. This paper synthesizes and compares viewpoints on digital misinformation, focusing on the COVID-19 infodemic. It has long been assumed that increased Internet connection will positively impact access to information. However, research indicates that locating reliable health information online has become a challenge. Here, we draw attention to two possible causes; the declining of information quality across digital and traditional media and the decentralisation of news sources. By examining these factors, serious consequences start to emerge: the use of social media, for example, to radicalise and push conspiracy theories. This study discusses the role of influencers and privatised companies, including social media platforms, regarding misinformation trends and countering the infodemic. Lastly, echoing the many calls for countering misinformation, we reiterate the need for a holistic approach to engaging all parties, from governments to educators and journalists to the public.