The Drum Beat 794 - Media, (Mis)Information, and Rights through the Lens of COVID-19

• 1.Covid-19 and the Impact on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Freedom of the Media
  by Antonina CherevkoIn the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, rights and freedoms have been restricted almost everywhere, including in established democracies. This paper from International Media Support (IMS) provides an overview of the trends and challenges to freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and access to information stemming from national governments' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the author observes, while the fear that traditionally accompanies pandemics is not new, what is novel in this case is the global communication system that helps information (and disinformation) about the virus travel globally in a matter of seconds. [Jun 2020]
   
• 2.Africa and the Covid-19 Information Framing Crisis
  by George Ogola"Much of Africa is in the grip of a double Covid-19 crisis. It is a crisis of the pandemic as well as an information framing crisis." This article argues that public health messaging about the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa is complicated by a competing mix of framings by a number of actors, including the state, the church, civil society, and the public. George Ogola here explores some of these divergences in the interpretation of the disease and how they have given rise to multiple narratives about the pandemic, particularly online. He also considers the role of health journalism on the continent and the ways in which weaknesses in the media sector are contributing to the misinformation and disinformation problem. [Jun 2020]
   
• 3.Online High-level Dialogue on Press Freedom and Tackling Disinformation in the COVID-19 Context
  On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (May 3), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) held a live online event to draw global attention to the need for free, independent, and professional journalism to provide reliable, life-saving information during the pandemic. Some of the themes explored in the video discussion include: the importance of journalism in navigating the crisis; fighting misinformation and rumours; journalists on the front lines: ensuring their health and safety; the role of governments: protecting press freedom and independent journalism; and the role of social media and technology: supporting journalism and fighting misinformation. [May 2020]
   
• 4.Ensuring the Public's Right to Know in the COVID-19 Pandemic
  ARTICLE 19 warns that the coronavirus pandemic could have a negative impact on global freedom of information (FOI). Based on the experiences of journalists, civil society, and the public across the world, this briefing paper reviews access to information obligations that governments should maintain during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes a list of information and data sets that should be proactively published by authorities to ensure transparency and accountability. It makes recommendations on how to release this information and which open government services are needed to facilitate the process. [May 2020]
   
• 5.COVID-19-Related Infodemic and Its Impact on Public Health: A Global Social Media Analysis
  by Md Saiful Islam, Tonmoy Sarkar, Sazzad Hossain Khan, Abu-Hena Mostofa Kamal, S. M. Murshid Hasan, Alamgir Kabir, Dalia Yeasmin, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Kamal Ibne Amin Chowdhury, Kazi Selim Anwar, Abrar Ahmad Chughtai, and Holly SealeA team of scientists from various countries identified 2,311 reports of COVID-19-related rumours, stigma, and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms in 25 languages from 87 countries. Among the impacts: In India, 12 people, including 5 children, became sick after drinking liquor made from a toxic seed as a cure for coronavirus disease that had been promoted in a video shared on social media. As argued here, the spread of rumours, stigma, and conspiracy theories not only affects individuals but can also have consequences at the societal level, including the healthcare system. [Aug 2020]
   
• See also:
  Journalism, Press Freedom and COVID-19
  

• 6.The COVID-19 Vaccine: Disinformation & Misinformation
  Reporters must grapple with disinformation and doubt spread by anti-vaccine activists and others that build on the uncertainty and fear caused by the pandemic. What will be the consequences when a COVID-19 vaccine is developed and distributed? What can journalists learn from veteran fact-checkers in reporting on vaccine information and disinformation? Are journalists meant to be advocates for science? These are the questions at the centre of a webinar produced by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). [Aug 2020]
   
• 7.Not Just Conspiracy Theories: Vaccine Opponents and Proponents Add to the COVID-19 'Infodemic' on Twitter
  by Amelia M. Jamison, David A. Broniatowski, Mark Dredze, Anu Sangraula, Michael C. Smith, and Sandra C. QuinnThis article proposes that focusing only on the most blatant forms of misinformation and the actors sharing them risks oversimplifying the COVID-19 information ecosystem. It details a study that assessed content from vaccine accounts on Twitter to understand how existing online communities contributed to the infodemic during the early stages of the pandemic. It also explores what the findings mean for efforts to limit online health misinformation. [Sep 2020]
   
• 8.Under the Surface: Covid-19 Vaccine Narratives, Misinformation and Data Deficits on Social Media
  by Rory Smith, Seb Cubbon, and Claire WardleThe information ecosystem in which people are learning and communicating about COVID-19 is characterised by what First Draft calls "data deficits" - situations in which demand for information is high, but the supply of credible information is low. These data deficits complicate efforts to accurately make sense of the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and vaccines more generally. Through a study of social media, this report details the narratives unique to 3 languages - English, French, and Spanish - and to the overarching trends across languages. In addition, it explores various features of information disorder related to vaccines. [Nov 2020]
   
• 9.Vaccine Hesitancy in the Age of Coronavirus and Fake News: Analysis of Journalistic Sources in the Spanish Quality Press
  by Daniel Catalan-Matamoros and Carlos ElíasThis study examined media sourcing patterns in a selection of major national newspapers in Spain, using the case of vaccines as a backdrop. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend that journalists not only filter information to stop the spread of fake news, but also that they use a variety of sources, such as scientists from universities that have shown higher degrees of neutrality when compared with those sources from scientific governmental organisations. [Nov 2020]
   
• 10.COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment: Behaviour, Ethics, Misinformation and Policy Strategies
  by Melinda Mills, Charles Rahal, David Brazel, Jiani Yan, and Sofia GieysztorCreated in anticipation of a vaccine against COVID-19, this rapid review from the British Academy and the Royal Society for the SET-C (Science in Emergencies Tasking: COVID-19) group focuses on the historical, ethical, and socio-behavioural factors related to vaccine uptake. The report draws on scientific evidence to aid policymakers in the United Kingdom and globally to plan effective and equitable vaccine deployment, with a focus on communication through dialogue and understanding rumours and misinformation. [Nov 2020]
   
• See also:
  Can Vaccine Confidence Survive in a Warp-Speed Infodemic?
  

• * Visit The CI's Media Development theme site, partially supported by Protecting Independent Media for Effective Development (PRIMED)
  
  
• * View COVID-19-related summaries specific on that theme site
  
  
• * View summaries on The CI's COVID-19 HUB that focus on issues around news/information
  
  
• * Subscribe to the bimonthly DB Click: Media Development, coming soon, which updates you on media and media development information recently placed on The CI site. Email mediadev@comminit.com with the words "Subscribe: MediaDev".
  
  
• * Participate in The CI Network discussion Combating Rumours and Misinformation - How?
  
  

• 11.Disinfodemic: Dissecting Responses to COVID-19 Disinformation - Policy Brief 2
  by Julie Posetti and Kalina BontchevaFrom UNESCO, this policy brief assesses emerging responses to the spread of disinformation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic - which UNESCO calls a "disinfodemic" - in the context of freedom of expression challenges. It is the companion to a brief that offers 2 typologies for understanding the disinfodemic: The first identifies 9 key themes and 4 main format types associated with disinformation about COVID-19 and its impacts, and the second outlines 10 types of responses to the disinfodemic, which are grouped under 4 umbrella categories: (i) monitoring, fact-checking, and investigative responses; (ii) governance-based responses; (iii) curation, technological, and economic responses; and (iv) normative and ethical, educational, empowerment, and credibility labelling responses. It is this second typology that is analysed in more detail in this second policy brief, which includes a list of action options for various stakeholders. [Apr 2020]
   
• 12.Combatting COVID-19 Disinformation on Online Platforms
  This policy brief from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) examines the infodemic and derives 4 key actions that governments and online platforms can take to counter COVID-19 disinformation on the internet. Per OECD, understanding how COVID-19 disinformation spreads is essential for crafting effective responses. Thus, the policy brief looks at how online platforms serve as a key channel for the spread of disinformation. Per OECD, online platforms, governments, and national and international health organisations need to work together; the brief outlines 3 main types of collaborative efforts. [Jul 2020]
   
• 13.Verified Campaign and Pause Movement
  Launched on May 21 2020, Verified is an initiative to create a cadre of "digital first responders" who are pushing back against COVID-19-related misinformation and stigmatisation. The UN Department of Global Communications is giving people worldwide the tools they need to increase the volume and reach of trusted, accurate information surrounding the pandemic - hopefully promoting global solidarity and saving lives. As part of this campaign, on the occasion of World Social Media Day June 30 2020, the UN advanced Pause, calling on social media users to "Pause. Take care before you share."
   
• 14.Countering Xenophobia and Stigma to Foster Social Cohesion in the COVID-19 Response and Recovery
  This issue brief from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) explores the various forms of xenophobic attacks on migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlines the detrimental effects of these attacks - not only on the safety and human dignity of victims but also on public health and social cohesion. It then proposes a number of solutions that States and other relevant actors may consider, ranging from measures aimed at strengthening the legal and policy response to xenophobia and racism, to community-based models to address prejudices and promote social mixing. [Jul 2020]
   
• 15.Leveraging Volunteer Fact Checking to Identify Misinformation about COVID-19 in Social Media
  by Hyunuk Kim and Dylan WalkerExisting methods for detecting health misinformation online rely on intensive manual labeling or known misinformation sources (such as domains, URLs, or accounts). However, misinformation can be buried amongst a large volume of accurate information, and the manner and type of emerging health misinformation are often unknown. This study proposes an approach that leverages the nature of social media, network structure, and the efforts of volunteer fact checkers to correct COVID-19 misinformation when they encounter it. [May 2020]
   
• 16.The Public's Role in COVID-19 Vaccination: Planning Recommendations Informed by Design Thinking and the Social, Behavioral, and Communication Sciences
  by Monica Schoch-Spana, Emily K. Brunson, Rex Long, Sanjana Ravi, Ali Ruth, and Marc TrotochaudTo help advance the public's understanding of, access to, and acceptance of vaccines that protect against COVID-19, a working group convened by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security created this resource with recommendations for a people-centric approach to the planning and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. One of the 6 steps outlined in the report: Communicate in meaningful, relevant, and personal terms - crowding out misinformation (e.g., by engaging a broad network of trusted spokespersons who can deliver and reinforce a unified message about COVID-19 vaccination). [Jul 2020]
   
• 17.Rights in the Time of COVID-19 - Lessons from HIV for an Effective, Community-led Response
  Forty years of responding to the HIV epidemic has generated lessons learned on how a human-rights-based approach is necessary to ensure effective and proportionate responses to epidemics. Key among them is the need to have a community-centred and informed response that embraces solidarity and kindness, that prioritises the most vulnerable, and that empowers communities. In light of this history, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) identifies key learnings from the HIV response that could inform a human-rights-based approach to the COVID-19 outbreak. A key takeaway: Engage affected communities from the beginning in all response measures in order to build trust, ensure suitability and effectiveness, avoid indirect or unintended harms, and ensure the frequent sharing of information. [Mar 2020]
   
• See also:
  Fighting Misinformation and Defending Free Expression during COVID-19: Recommendations for States
  

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