Infodemic– into the virtual whirlpool

In so many ways, the outbreak of the Coronavirus is probably the first global health disaster of the social media age. The virus outbreak, its spread and all the quirky cures that have come up – drinking alcohol excessively kills the virus was one of the best – all come out first on the web.   

Li Wenliang, the doctor from Wuhan who first warned colleagues of the virus in December did so an online message board. His later run-ins with the Chinese authorities who wanted to silence him and his unfortunate death due to the infection were all played out on social media, like script.   

• WHO has already warned of an ‘infodemic’
• Over-abundance of information – some accurate and some not
• Social media platforms have been taking down fake posts
• Authenticity really matters in a time of crisis

First news of his passing away began appearing on social early in the morning Pacific time. But soon the hospital where he was warded denied it. It said that he was critical but still alive. But then the news was confirmed. It was a blow by blow commentary of the tragedy of mythic proportions.   

The World Health Organisation (WHO) uses Facebook live and Twitter threads to get vital information out. The Johns Hopkins University has a real-time map that tracks global infections. Chinese authorities would have been far more successful in keeping uncomfortable news out of international domain if not for social media. Even with its Great Fire-wall it is still struggling to control the global narrative.   

However, everything out there is not contributing to a healthy dialogue. WHO has already warned of an ‘infodemic’, an overload of information online that has made it hard for people to determine what is authentic and what is otherwise.   

“(This) Over-abundance of information – some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it. Due to the high demand for timely and trustworthy information about 2019-nCoV, WHO technical risk communication and social media teams have been working closely to track and respond to myths and rumours,” WHO said in its daily sitrep on February 2.   

Chinese authorities would have been far more successful in keeping uncomfortable news out of international domain if not for social media. Even with its Great Fire-wall it is still struggling to control the global narrative   

“People had suddenly the impression that the virus was in the air and…there is this cloud of virus,” Sylvie Briand, WHO Director Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness said in Geneva.  

Authenticity really matters in a time of crisis. Social media platforms have been taking down fake posts. But where do people get valid information in a timely manner? And more importantly what is valid? We live in a world that prides its self on cognitive disruptions – from fake news to click bait the prime aim is to gain attention by disrupting whatever focus there was beforehand. The information highway is a flashing collection of billions of blips, each trying to outshine the other.   

It’s exaggeration that works and it’s exaggeration that is used to sell the stories on coronavirus.   

In an environment like Sri Lanka, the media are engaged in a raucous screaming match even at the best of times, amplification of unsubstantiated information is an art form here. Like its Chinese counterpart’s Sri Lankan media are masterful at singing paeans. In other words what we get is either a good dishing of someone or praising another to high heavens.   

What becomes important is distilling information sources. For journalists, this is part of the job. But when what motivates stories is the agenda setting, then the source becomes secondary. This is why we are yet to get any reportage on how the Ranja tapes were first leaked and then suddenly the drip, drip leaks closed up soon after he
spoke in parliament.   

The onus now falls on everyone at the receiving end of any kind of information to figure out its authenticity. Figure out who is telling, what and why they are saying it, before believing in any of it. And for God’s sake, before forwarding any of it.   

The writer is currently pursuing a Masters by Research at CQ University, Melbourne on online journalism and trauma.