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Debunking Work? Correcting COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media
Seventh, emphasize the gaps in logic and the flawed strategies
used by those pushing misinformation. Several studies have found
that using rational arguments, such as highlighting the rhetorical
tools used to spread misinformation (for example, relying on conspir-
acy theories, misrepresenting risks, using false âexpertsâ), can be an
effective debunking strategy.64
Eighth, make the facts the hook, not the misinformation. While
the evidence about whether debunking can inadvertently spread mis-
information is mixed, it makes sense to frame debunking in a manner
that makes the correct informationânot the misinformation, myth,
or conspiracy theoryâthe memorable part of the messaging.65 Make
sure the misinformation is clearly flagged as wrong so the debunk is
the key takeaway.
Finally, the audience should be the general public, not the
hard-core believer. This should be the case even if the debunk is trig-
gered by information circulated by a hard-core believer or someone
who is pushing misinformation for personal gain.66 It is difficult to
change the mind of someone who is heavily invested in a particular
myth or conspiracy theory. As noted by the WHO, the probability of
changing a vocal science denier is extremely low.67 For this reason,
(2019) 2:2 Can J Bioethics 52.
64. See Schmid & Betsch, supra note 30; Stephan Lewandowsky & John Cook, The
Conspiracy Theory Handbook (Fairfax: George Mason University, 2020); Gåbor
Orosz et al, âChanging Conspiracy Beliefs through Rationality and Ridiculingâ
(2016) 7:1525 Frontiers in Psychology 8: â[U]ncovering arguments regarding the
logical inconsistencies of CT beliefs can be an effective way to discredit them.â
65. Some have called this the âtruth sandwichâ strategy. See Benkelmam, supra
note 41 at sum: âThere are a number of strategies for reporting on falsehoods
without amplifying them. One is the âtruth sandwich,â which involves stating a
true fact, then the falsehood, then the true fact again.â While this approach makes
sense, once again there isnât that much direct empirical evidence on point. And
there is some research that suggests order may not be that significant. See Evan R
Anderson, William S Horton & David N Rapp, âHungry for the Truth: Evaluating
the Utility of âTruth Sandwichesââ (July 2019), online: ResearchGate <www.
researchgate.net/publication/334491502_Hungry_for_the_Truth_Evaluating_
the_Utility_of_Truth_Sandwiches_as_Refutations>, where it was found that âthe
truth sandwich structure did not significantly affect the likelihood of readersâ
endorsing false claims relative to a more typical refutation structure.â
66. I will often use a pop culture momentâthe spread of misinformation by a celeb-
rity, for exampleâas an opportunity to create sharable content about science
and the problems associated with the spread of health misinformation.
67. World Health Organization, âBest Practices Guidance: How to Respond to
Vocal Vaccine Deniers in Publicâ (Copenhagen: Regional Office for Europe of
the World Health Organization, 2016): âRule 1: The general public is your target
audience, not the vocal vaccine denier.â
VULNERABLE
The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19
- Titel
- VULNERABLE
- Untertitel
- The Law, Policy and Ethics of COVID-19
- Autoren
- Vanessa MacDonnell
- Jane Philpott
- Sophie Thériault
- Sridhar Venkatapuram
- Verlag
- Ottawa Press
- Datum
- 2020
- Sprache
- englisch
- Lizenz
- CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
- ISBN
- 9780776636429
- Abmessungen
- 15.2 x 22.8 cm
- Seiten
- 648
- Kategorien
- Coronavirus
- International