COVID-19...
RELIABALE INFO.
Give facts (AND PEOPLE) a fighting chance
As part of a comprehensive effort to combat misinformation about COVID-19, the Friendship Bench has created this resource page to provide accurate information about the pandemic and free resources which can be easily downloaded and distributed.
As people increasingly take up social distancing, social media is an appealing way to stay in contact. But, it can also be a source of fake news and bad advice regarding COVID-19 which can increase stress and anxiety levels. Do your part, please stop sharing messages which you have not fact checked or which have not come from a reliable source such as the ones outline below.
IS IT RELIABLE INFORMATION?
#1. CHECK YOUR SOURCES
Any information you get sent should be fact checked against CREDIBLE websites, such as the WHO or the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention BEFORE you pass the information on.
Play a part in the pandemic, break the spread of fake news that has the potential to promote panic and unsettle people.
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• World Health Organisation // • WHO- WhatApp msg service
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A few more reliable sources to fact check are;
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• Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
# 2 WATCH AND LEARN
WHY?
This being the digital age, news about the coronavirus and misinformation about the outbreak are spreading nearly as fast as the virus itself. For instance, fake tips on how to prevent or even cure coronavirus have gone viral and so have hoaxes aimed at spreading confusion. And then of course there are the opportunists - people posing as doctors or businessmen selling cures. And the biggest factor is, actually, well-intentioned ordinary, everyday people (like you and I) who are trying to make sense of this in a time of great uncertainty. There's a lot of public fear, so people are being motivated to share as much as possible but majority of people are doing this in a reckless way, and for some there is ego involved, wanting to be the first with the breaking news and latest update. THIS NEEDS OT BE CONTROLLED AS MUCH AS THE VIRUS.
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Watch this TedTalk on "How False News Can Spread" by Noak Tavlin
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HOW?
10 TIPS TO FIGHTING FAKE NEWS . (PDF)
How to fact check like a pro
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FAKE NEWS CHEAT SHEET . (PDF)
City University of NYC, School of Journalism
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STOP, THINK, SPOT FAKE NEWS . (PDF)
Tacomacc Library Guides
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HOW TO SPOT FAKE NEWS (YouTube Video)
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INTERESTING ARTICLE: How social media platforms are fighting coronavirus misinformation
# 3 SHARE FACT CHECKED & EVIDENCE BASED INFORMATION
