THE WORLD is fighting not just the COVID-19 pandemic but also “infodemic”. Fake news is spreading faster than the coronavirus.
Based on the definition of the World Health Organization, “infodemic” is the overabundance of information — some accurate and some not — that makes it difficult for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance.
The damage inflicted by fake news can be serious, and its ramifications far and wide, as news could travel more quickly on social media, especially sensational stories, which most disinformation producers invent in selling fake news.
Fake news can expose individuals and communities to further risks from not following the health protocols and not getting vaccinated. It can also instigate public fear, panic, and anxiety, creating a host of mental health issues. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene reported that around 5,800 people in the United States were “hospitalized due to false information on social media, with many dying from consuming methanol or alcohol-based cleaning products”.
False information could also affect the economy. An example of this is the news about the supposed health benefits of certain plants, such as ginger, in preventing COVID-19 infections, which triggered an artificial spike in their prices, causing a global shortage.
Fake news could also cause unnecessary hoarding and panic buying. For example, the sudden increase in the demand for health supplies, such as masks and protective equipment, has disrupted the local and global supply, resulting in a market failure.
What can be done to curb the proliferation of fake news?
One is to increase people’s awareness, familiarity, and understanding of available tools for fact-checking. Government agencies, academic institutions, and media networks should help in promoting these to validate the authenticity of information circulated on the internet and through social media.
Another is to strengthen citizen engagement. Misinformation is a whole-of-society problem and not just an issue for the government to solve or for the tech companies to address. It is vital to engage citizens in fact-checking and capacitate citizens through continuous training and education.
Developing analytical thinking and digital intelligence early on in life among children is also important. Based on cognitive psychology research, the propensity to fall prey to fake news is linked to poor analytical thinking and reflective reasoning.
Fake news is toxic to our health.
