Resources for tackling COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it the spread of potentially harmful misinformation and disinformation. With countries all around the world grappling to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the need for resilient, independent, and accurate media is becoming increasingly apparent. With that, comes the need to identify, prevent, and challenge mis– and disinformation.

As well as compiling resources from our members and partners to assist in covering the pandemic, we have also started developing a list of resources to help journalists, news organisations, and audiences combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation. For further resources related to disinformation and misinformation, please visit our Internet Governance Resource Centre.

Nine Tips for Spotting Coronavirus Misinformation from IREX

To help audiences identify and prevent the spread of potentially harmful misinformation, during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis, IREX has compiled a list of nine questions for audiences to ask themselves as they read, watch, or listen to the news.

Fighting misinformation and defending free expression during COVID-19

To help combat the spread of COVID-19 misinformation, Access Now have developed a report providing recommendations to states for protecting freedom of expression and opinion and the right to impart and receive information to enable governments to fight the COVID-19 health crisis in a rights-respecting manner.

EU Disinfo Lab COVID-19 Resource Hub

EU Disinfo Lab have put together essential resources for those interested in tackling the coronavirus infodemic. On this page, you can find information on what the online platforms are doing to combat coronavirus mis— and disinformation, content on the narratives, trends, and strategies defining the infodemic, and dedicated sections on free tools to use, commentary on the infodemic, as well as its impact on our societies.

Journalistes Solidaires

Journalistes Solidaires is a collaborative, friendly, and efficient fact checking editorial team, bringing together journalists, experts and citizens. The Solidarity Journalists adventure was born on the initiative of Julien Cazenave during the Covid-19 health crisis. From a core of professionals and students, the group was able to organize themselves to set up a platform open to all.

Journalism, ‘Fake News’ and Disinformation: A Handbook for Journalism Education and Training

UNESCO have released a handbook on understanding and countering disinformation designed for journalism education and training. Collaboratively produced by international experts, it includes tools and exercises to support disinformation literacy and countermeasures relevant to the COVID-19 ’infodemic’.

Viral Lies: Misinformation and the Coronavirus

ARTICLE 19 has published a briefing on how states, the media, and social media companies can help to combat COVID-19 by committing to transparency, tackling misinformation, and promoting authoritative health advice. They also have a role to play in addressing hate speech directed at individuals of Chinese or Asian descent, connected to the coronavirus outbreak.

If you would like to add any resources to this list, we invite you to get in touch at jhiggins@gfmd.info.