COVID-19 and Infodemic in Southeast Asia
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Abstract
This paper takes stock of how, during its research period (February 2020 to August 2021), COVID-19 related ‘infodemic’ has adversely disrupted access to accurate public health information in Southeast Asia by outlining the patterns and evolution of COVID-19-related infodemic in the region. It then assesses existing non-legal measures that have been used in response to the infodemic. Strategies reviewed in this paper include: information sharing, fact checking, responses of technology companies, quality journalism and media information literacy (MIL) – each with shortcomings of their own. The paper concludes that the situation in the region calls for a concerted effort to develop MIL education as a long-term guarantee against infodemic; while other strategies noted in the paper must also be developed to accompany MIL. The paper recommends that MIL and other strategies need to be constantly monitored and assessed for their effectiveness. New strategies have to be adopted as the nature of infodemic evolves.
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