Pandemics and Infodemics: How COVID-19 is Reshaping Content Regulation?

Abstract

The debate about tackling online misinformation and disinformation is not unique to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the health crisis has elevated the danger of misleading information circulated on social media. Labelled as ‘infodemic’, the problem of COVID-19-related misinformation and disinformation prompted governments and social media platforms around the globe to impose various speech restrictions. The public and private policy frameworks aiming to curb the spread of the infodemic were adopted in a state of emergency and without proper scrutiny. Yet, they are shaping the future of content regulation, possibly affecting freedom of speech and other democratic values for years to come. This chapter looks at the key problematic aspects of actions taken by governments and social media platforms to address COVID-19-related misinformation and disinformation and discusses the possible long-term effects of these measures.

Citation

Tropina, T. (2023), "Pandemics and Infodemics: How COVID-19 is Reshaping Content Regulation?", Whalley, J., Stocker, V. and Lehr, W. (Ed.) Beyond the Pandemic? Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Telecommunications and the Internet, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 229-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-049-820231011