The human cost of viral misinformation
Misinformation about coronavirus flooding social media. But what are its real-world effects? We found links to assaults, arsons, serious injuries and even deaths.
Whatβs the human cost of viral misinformation?
In an exclusive report, we track the worldwide effects of bad information about coronavirus. Misleading info has led to deaths in the US, alcohol poisonings in Iran, drug overdoses in Nigeria and Vietnam, religious violence in India and arsons by people convinced by conspiracy theories.
Itβs a sobering tally of the human effects of so-called βfake newsβ. So what can we do to stop it?
Presenter: Reha Kansara
Reporter: Marianna Spring
Picture caption: Brian Lee Hitchens believed conspiracy thoeries about coronavirus β until he and his wife became seriously ill with the disease.
Picture credit: Brian Lee Hitchens
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- Sat 30 May 2020 04:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa & South Asia
- Sat 30 May 2020 08:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except Australasia, East Asia, Europe and the Middle East & South Asia
- Sat 30 May 2020 17:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
- Sun 31 May 2020 22:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sun 31 May 2020 23:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service South Asia
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