Disinformation: a secret weapon in pandemic times
The COVID-19 pandemic has a particularity that differentiates it from previous health crises that have plagued the world: the role of social media and its impact on populations around the world. Powerful digital platforms circulate valuable information and news updates in a matter of seconds, all over the world. Within the same capacity, these tools are also able to circulate false or misleading content that can threaten the well-being of populations.
UNESCO recommends that people pay attention to the content they receive and replicate from their cell phones, remain calm in the face of the bombardment of information, and be cautious, sharing only the content verified by reliable sources of information. And, above all, promote that awareness.
The COVID-19 pandemic has a particularity that differentiates it from previous health crises that have plagued the world: the role of social media and its impact on populations around the world.
Powerful digital platforms circulate valuable information and news updates in a matter of seconds, all over the world. Within the same capacity, these tools are also able to circulate false or misleading content that can threaten the well-being of populations. It is important to check the information as soon as possible.
With a simple click, sharing unverified information feeds the misleading network and fuels misinformation, which is highly dangerous for the world's populations. This poses a risk to those who decide to take action against the coronavirus based on false or misleading messages. Supporting and caring for other people means more than just complying with the health regulations suggested by the different authorities in each country.
For the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), civic responsibility and ensuring access to information mean taking care of quality information. For this reason, UNESCO recommends that people promote habits that protect the responsible flow of data in the digital world. Pay attention to the content they receive and replicate from their cell phones, in the form of audios, text or apparently journalistic news. Keep calm in the face of the bombardment of information and be cautious, sharing only the content verified by reliable sources of information. And, above all, promote that awareness.
UNESCO, as an organization that promotes freedom of expression and access to quality and evidence-based information, in partnership with UNDP, will continue to launch a series of digital content with recommendations to help people verify the content they are viewing. receiving during the pandemic.
UNESCO invites the media, journalists, government agencies, organized civil societies and digital influencers to share among their contacts the practices that promote verified management of the content that circulates on social media. https://covpan.com/
