Journal
MEDIA INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA
Volume 177, Issue 1, Pages 12-29Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/1329878X20946113
Keywords
5G; conspiracy theory; coronavirus; COVID-19; disinformation; dissemination; Facebook; misinformation; rumours; social media
Categories
Funding
- Australian Research Council [DP200101317, FT130100703]
- Australian Research Council [DP200101317, FT130100703] Funding Source: Australian Research Council
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Focussing in detail on one key component of the infodemic surrounding COVID-19, this article traces the dissemination dynamics of rumours that the pandemic outbreak was somehow related to the rollout of 5G mobile telephony technology in Wuhan and around the world. Drawing on a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods including time-series analysis, network analysis and in-depth close reading, our analysis shows the dissemination of the rumour on Facebook from its obscure origins in pre-existing conspiracist groups through greater uptake in more diverse communities to substantial amplification by celebrities, sports stars and media outlets. The in-depth tracing of COVID-related mis- and disinformation across social networks offers important new insights into the dynamics of online information dissemination and points to opportunities to slow and stop the spread of false information, or at least to combat it more directly with accurate counterinformation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available