Category FAQs Search : Information Literacy
Question: What is disinfodemic?
Answer: A disinfodemic is a term that combines "disinformation" and "epidemic" to describe the rapid and widespread dissemination of false or misleading information—especially during a crisis such as a pandemic.
The term gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a flood of misinformation and disinformation about the virus, vaccines, and public health responses spread across the internet and social media, undermining trust in science and institutions.
Key Characteristics of a Disinfodemic:
Widespread: Spreads rapidly, often going viral.
False or misleading: Includes outright lies (disinformation) or unintentionally shared falsehoods (misinformation).
Harmful: Can endanger public health, cause panic, or influence political and social behavior negatively.
Amplified by technology: Often spreads through social media, messaging apps, and poorly regulated online platforms.
Examples:
Fake cures for diseases.
Conspiracy theories (e.g., 5G causes COVID-19).
Misrepresented statistics or fake government announcements.
The term was notably used by UNESCO to highlight the importance of combating false information alongside managing actual health crises.
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(Source: UNESCO, 06 May 2025)
Source Link: https://en.unesco.org/covid19/disinfodemic