Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for the health system across the globe and fueled the surge of numerous rumours, hoaxes, and misinformation regarding outcomes, prevention and cure of the virus.  The COVID-19 pandemic has also had severe political, economic and societal effec...

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Autores principales: Romitesh Kant, Rufino Varea
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Lenguaje:EN
Publicado: Asia Pacific Network 2021
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Acceso en línea:https://doaj.org/article/17b09dacc753428aa7563d2fcdaa9415
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spelling oai:doaj.org-article:17b09dacc753428aa7563d2fcdaa94152021-12-02T18:10:15ZSpreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums 10.24135/pjr.v27i1&2.11661023-94992324-2035https://doaj.org/article/17b09dacc753428aa7563d2fcdaa94152021-09-01T00:00:00Zhttps://ojs.aut.ac.nz/pacific-journalism-review/article/view/1166https://doaj.org/toc/1023-9499https://doaj.org/toc/2324-2035 The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for the health system across the globe and fueled the surge of numerous rumours, hoaxes, and misinformation regarding outcomes, prevention and cure of the virus.  The COVID-19 pandemic has also had severe political, economic and societal effects and affected media and communication systems in unprecedented ways. While traditional journalism has tried to adapt to the rapidly evolving situation, alternative news media on the internet have given the events an ideological spin. These voices have been criticised for furthering societal confusion and spreading potentially dangerous ‘fake news’ or conspiracy theories via social media and other online channels. The impact of the disease and the lack of information associated with it have allowed medical misinformation to rapidly surface and propagate on various social media platforms. Previous studies have highlighted a similar trend during recent public health emergencies, mainly the Ebola and Zika outbreaks. Such a phenomenon is alarming on both individual and public health levels to the extent that governments are realising the gravity and attempting to limit its effects. This article offers a unique perspective because it provides data-driven qualitative insights into Fijian Facebook posts related to infectious disease outbreaks. This study aims to understand public views and opinions on Fijian social media during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and to outline potential implications for health information. Romitesh KantRufino VareaAsia Pacific Networkarticlecase studiesCOVID-19Facebookfake newsFijiinternetCommunication. Mass mediaP87-96Journalism. The periodical press, etc.PN4699-5650ENPacific Journalism Review, Vol 27, Iss 1&2 (2021)
institution DOAJ
collection DOAJ
language EN
topic case studies
COVID-19
Facebook
fake news
Fiji
internet
Communication. Mass media
P87-96
Journalism. The periodical press, etc.
PN4699-5650
spellingShingle case studies
COVID-19
Facebook
fake news
Fiji
internet
Communication. Mass media
P87-96
Journalism. The periodical press, etc.
PN4699-5650
Romitesh Kant
Rufino Varea
Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums
description The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for the health system across the globe and fueled the surge of numerous rumours, hoaxes, and misinformation regarding outcomes, prevention and cure of the virus.  The COVID-19 pandemic has also had severe political, economic and societal effects and affected media and communication systems in unprecedented ways. While traditional journalism has tried to adapt to the rapidly evolving situation, alternative news media on the internet have given the events an ideological spin. These voices have been criticised for furthering societal confusion and spreading potentially dangerous ‘fake news’ or conspiracy theories via social media and other online channels. The impact of the disease and the lack of information associated with it have allowed medical misinformation to rapidly surface and propagate on various social media platforms. Previous studies have highlighted a similar trend during recent public health emergencies, mainly the Ebola and Zika outbreaks. Such a phenomenon is alarming on both individual and public health levels to the extent that governments are realising the gravity and attempting to limit its effects. This article offers a unique perspective because it provides data-driven qualitative insights into Fijian Facebook posts related to infectious disease outbreaks. This study aims to understand public views and opinions on Fijian social media during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and to outline potential implications for health information.
format article
author Romitesh Kant
Rufino Varea
author_facet Romitesh Kant
Rufino Varea
author_sort Romitesh Kant
title Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums
title_short Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums
title_full Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums
title_fullStr Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums
title_full_unstemmed Spreading (dis)trust in Fiji? Exploring COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook forums
title_sort spreading (dis)trust in fiji? exploring covid-19 misinformation on facebook forums
publisher Asia Pacific Network
publishDate 2021
url https://doaj.org/article/17b09dacc753428aa7563d2fcdaa9415
work_keys_str_mv AT romiteshkant spreadingdistrustinfijiexploringcovid19misinformationonfacebookforums
AT rufinovarea spreadingdistrustinfijiexploringcovid19misinformationonfacebookforums
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