“Infodemic !

News of the coronavirus has led to fear and anxiety among the public. Since there is so much
that we do not know about the coronavirus, people are hungry for the most up to date
information so that they can better understand the situation. However, accurate information
can take time to emerge.
In these conditions, it is common for false information and rumours to spread. This is especially
true on social media platforms where information can easily travel around the world before it
is verified by a credible source.
Watch how fake news is spread here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cSKGa_7XJkg&feature=youtu.be
Disinformation about the coronavirus has taken a number of forms. Some posts spread
conspiracy theories about the origins of the virus — like the fake story that the virus was made
in a Canadian lab and stolen by Chinese spies (See here) Others spread false information about
supposed miracle cures ranging from salt water and Vitamin C to nicotine. (See here).

As the case of the coronavirus demonstrates, in times of public uncertainty, online

disinformation can spread even more widely than the disease itself.

Watch how to choose your news here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-Y-z6HmRgI

Pick one of the following options (you don’t have to do both):

Option A)
Respond to at least ONE of the following questions in at least 250 words:
  Why do you think the coronavirus is leading to the spread of so much misinformation
and disinformation?
 Should individual users be left to decide which information they choose to believe and
share, or is it up to social media companies to remove known disinformation from their
platforms?
 What are some of the reasons people might spread false information about the virus?
 Do you think it matters if people intend to spread false information or not?

Option B)
 Create a “How to choose your news” information poster, website, brochure, or vlog -
coronavirus edition.