Technology and social media have helped people stay informed and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have also enabled an “infodemic”: an excess of information, including deliberate efforts to spread false claims, according to the UN and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The organizations warn that misinformation and disinformation can damage physical and mental health, increase stigma and weaken compliance with public health measures. They say a lack of trustworthy information can also undermine diagnostic testing and immunization efforts, allowing the virus to continue spreading.
The harms, they add, extend beyond health. Disinformation can polarize public debate, amplify hate speech and increase the risk of conflict, violence and human rights violations.
The UN launched its Communications Response initiative in April 2020 to address the spread of false information. In May, WHO Member States adopted Resolution WHA73.1, which recognizes managing the infodemic as an important part of controlling the pandemic. The resolution calls for reliable COVID-19 information, action against misinformation and support for science-based information online.
The UN is urging governments to develop plans to distribute accurate, evidence-based information promptly, particularly to high-risk groups, while countering false claims in ways that respect freedom of expression. It also calls on governments to listen to communities and help them build resilience against misinformation.
Media organizations, social media platforms, researchers, technologists, civil society groups and influencers are likewise being asked to work with governments and the UN to strengthen the spread of accurate information and limit the circulation of misleading claims.
Sources: WHO News.