Infodemia and COVID-19. Evolution and viralization of false information in Spain

Authors

  • José Manuel Sánchez-Duarte Departamento de Derecho Público I y Ciencia Política, Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, España , Departamento de Derecho Público I y Ciencia Política, Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, España http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5627-2713 (unauthenticated)
  • Raúl Magallón Rosa Departamento de Comunicación, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, España , Departamento de Comunicación, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, España http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2236-7802 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20318/recs.2020.5417

Keywords:

disinformation, social networks, WhatsApp, COVID-19, coronavirus, fact-checking, hoaxes, Spain, media

Abstract

Introduction: Verifying information is a democratic challenge, especially in periods of exceptionality and crisis. Objective: To analyze the type of hoaxes identified during the COVID-19 pandemic according to their topic, verification date, distribution channels, viralization in other countries and identification of their promoters. Methodology: 166 hoaxes reported by the organization Maldita.es to the collaborative verification platform LatamChequea from February 14 to April 15, 2020 have been analyzed. Results: Among the main results, we draw attention to the high presence of misinformation around infections and preventive measures. Conclusions: Misinformation and disinformation increases as the pandemic sets in and a series of containment measures are taken, we hightlight the viralization of hoaxes through social networks and instant messaging services, in addition to its international reach and the high difficulty in identifying its promoters.

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Author Biographies

  • José Manuel Sánchez-Duarte, Departamento de Derecho Público I y Ciencia Política, Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, España, Departamento de Derecho Público I y Ciencia Política, Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, España
    Profesor de Ciencias Políticas. Doctor en Comunicación por la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Doctor en Ciências Sociais (especialidad políticas) por la Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Sao Paulo.
  • Raúl Magallón Rosa, Departamento de Comunicación, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, España, Departamento de Comunicación, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, España
    Doctor Europeus en Periodismo. Profesor del Departamento de Comunicación de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.

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Additional Files

Published

2020-07-16

Issue

2020: Suplemento 1

Section

Originals

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How to Cite

Infodemia and COVID-19. Evolution and viralization of false information in Spain. (2020). Revista Española De Comunicación En Salud , 31-41. https://doi.org/10.20318/recs.2020.5417