PropertyValue
?:abstract
  • Since COVID-19 emerged, a plethora of misinformation has undermined the public’s ability to identify reliable sources of accurate information. To identify the range of methods governments used to address COVID-19 misinformation, we conducted a content analysis of international media and evaluated government actions in light of international law, which protects freedom of expression and calls on governments to guarantee this fundamental right even during a pandemic or other emergency. We identified five categories of government activities: (1) disseminating and increasing access to accurate information; (2) restricting access to accurate information; (3) disseminating disinformation, false information, and misinformation; (4) addressing commercial fraud; and (5) criminalizing expression. The goal of addressing COVID-19 misinformation is best served by protecting expression, disseminating factual information, ensuring strong protections for whistleblowers, and supporting an independent media environment. Conversely, governments undermine public health when they create a state of uncertainty and violate human rights. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1057/s41271-020-00270-x.
?:creator
?:doi
  • 10.1057/s41271-020-00270-x
?:doi
?:journal
  • J_Public_Health_Policy
?:license
  • no-cc
?:pdf_json_files
  • document_parses/pdf_json/554f3f50b5dd9d4a89ee60a868cbc11c95a52054.json
?:pmc_json_files
  • document_parses/pmc_json/PMC7841970.xml.json
?:pmcid
?:pmid
?:pmid
  • 33510401.0
?:publication_isRelatedTo_Disease
?:sha_id
?:source
  • Medline; PMC
?:title
  • Governmental actions to address COVID-19 misinformation
?:type
?:year
  • 2021-01-28

Metadata

Anon_0  
expand all