The spread of fake news about the COVID-19 pandemic has been considered a dangerous “infodemic”. Fake news spreads faster and easily today through the internet and social media. These information may contain wrong or even harmful information and advice, which can affect the public health response and add to social disorder.
To Confuse some fake news also contains a mix of correct information, which makes it difficult to detect what is true and accurate. Fake news can also be shared by trusted members, including doctors and nurses. They might not have read the full story before sharing or would have just glanced over it. Before you decide to share such information, make sure to read details properly and follow some checks to determine what is true.
If the story claims a much higher level of certainty in its advice than other information, this is debatable. People try to seek certainty in a time of high uncertainty, anxiety and panic. So it is natural to more readily accept information that resolves and provides easy solutions – unfortunately, in a false way.
Similarly, if a story is having more suspense & surprise than other information it is worth a double-check, as fake news will always try to grab your attention by being more interesting than the real info.
What to look out?
- Source. Try to Question the source. Check on official websites if information is repeated there. This is a rumour unless you know the person directly.
- Logo: Check whether any organisation’s logo is being used in the information, and look for the same on the its official website.
- Bad English: Authentic journalists and organisations are less likely to make repeated spelling and grammar mistakes. Also, Something written entirely in capital letters or containing a lot of exclamations or surprise should raise your suspicions.
- Pretend social media accounts: Some fake accounts mimic the real ones. For example, the unofficial Twitter handle @BBCNewsTonight, which was made to look like the legitimate @BBCNews account, shared a fake information or news about the actor Daniel Radcliffe Tested positive for COVID-19.
- Over-enforcement to share: Be Cautious if the message forces you to share – this is how viral messaging operates.
- Use fact-checking websites: Websites such as APFactcheck & Full Fact works against creating awareness on common fake news and information. You can also use a search engine to look for the title of the article to see if it has been flagged as fake news by the media.
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