COVID-19: preventing the spread of false information

The spread of COVID-19 has had implications for international travel and public gatherings, with several media development and journalism events cancelled or postponed. The global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) maintains an overview of cancelled events on their website. The list will be updated if and when more events are impacted by the coronavirus.     

As COVID-19 spreads internationally, so too does 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 ever more urgent.

It is the role of media to provide citizens with verified, accurate and factual reporting and refrain from coverage that could generate panic and fear. IMS urges media to report responsibly and professionally.

Below is a list of projects and resources aiming to help prevent the spread of false information:

• CThe Open Notebook: Tipsheet – Covering the Coronavirus Epidemic Effectively Without Spreading Misinformation
• Esri ArcGSI blog: Mapping coronavirus, responsibly
• Journalist’s Resource: Covering Covid-19 and the coronavirus: 5 tips from a Harvard epidemiology professor 
• Scientific American [op-ed]: How to Report on the Covid-19 Outbreak Responsibly 
• Asian American Journalists Association: Guidance on Coronavirus Coverage
• Poynter: How newsrooms can tone down their coronavirus coverage while still reporting responsibly
• BBC Media Action: Our top 10 tips for media in the COVID-19 ‘info-demic’
• Association of Health Care Journalists: Use caution when reporting on pandemic potential of coronavirus 
• National Press Club: Covering Coronavirus: Expert Tips for Journalists and Communicators [Video]
• OneZero: The Simplest Way to Spot Coronavirus Misinformation on Social Media 
• The Lancet:This piece from The Lancet includes many tips on how to fight an infodemic.
• Dan Gilmor:This piece from Dan Gillmor discusses what COVID–19 requires from journalists.
• Al Tompkins, Poynter:He writes that journalists should tone down their coverage and frame stories within a broader context.
• International Coronavirus Fact-Checking Collaboration
• Constructive Institute: Recommendations for reporting on  the coronavirus with the elements of constructive journalism in mind.
• Journalism.co.uk: Lessons from Italy: best practices for field reporting during the coronavirus lockdown

For information about the virus and recommendations from authorities in Denmark (Danish language) check this link

More information in English