Canadian researchers analyse the spread of covid-19 misinformation online
As local and global information about COVID-19 continues to shift rapidly, social science and humanities researchers are investigating the nature of misinformation and conspiracy theories, methods of transmission for false information, and the impact of fake news on our behaviours and psychological well-being.
A multidisciplinary team from the Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS), along with international partners, are compiling a macro-analysis of responses to COVID-19 related information from a broad range of sources and platforms.
Canadian survey results compiled as part of the project show the pervasiveness of misinformation online.
- 38.4% believe that their government is hiding important information about COVID-19
- 15.0% believe that the pharmaceutical industry is involved in spreading COVID-19
- 52.7% of respondents were aware that they had been exposed to news about COVID-19 that proved to be false
"From these...