infodemic
Viral misinformation spread
An infodemic is an overwhelming flood of information—much of it false or misleading—that spreads rapidly during a crisis, making it difficult to find trustworthy guidance.
The term gained currency during the COVID-19 pandemic, when misinformation about the virus spread as fast as the disease itself: The infodemic made it hard to know which health advice to follow.
Intentionally deceptive media content
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
conspiracy theory · pseudoscience · denialism · myth · canard · distortion · inaccuracy · misrepresentation
Spreading quickly online
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- transmissionSending of information
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
echo chamber · superspreader · network effect · cascade · exponential · retweet · repost · shareable
Inaction from excessive deliberation
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- saturationState of complete permeation
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- floodOverwhelming water overflow
avalanche · fatigue · burnout · notification overload · attention economy · doomscrolling · confusion · noise
News gathering and dissemination
- newsReports of recent events
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- headlineNews article title
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
social media · platform · algorithm · clickbait · sensationalism · breaking news · pundit · commentary
Biased information for influence
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- troll farmOrganized disinformation operation
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
state-sponsored · weaponized · bad actor · foreign interference · targeted · polarization · radicalization · incitement
UN health authority
- public healthCommunity-level disease prevention
- vaccine hesitancyReluctance to accept immunization
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- health crisisUrgent widespread medical threat
Confirming accuracy of claims
- debunkingProving claims false
- verificationProving something accurate
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- sourcingObtaining from suppliers
credibility · media literacy · critical thinking · evidence · proof · Snopes · PolitiFact · reliable sources
fake news
Intentionally deceptive media content
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
falsehood · conspiracy theory · pseudoscience · denialism · myth · canard · distortion · inaccuracy · misrepresentation · untruth
viral
Spreading quickly online
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- transmissionSending of information
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
amplification · echo chamber · superspreader · network effect · cascade · exponential · retweet · repost · shareable · trending
analysis paralysis
Inaction from excessive deliberation
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- saturationState of complete permeation
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
flood · avalanche · fatigue · burnout · notification overload · attention economy · doomscrolling · confusion · noise
journalism
News gathering and dissemination
broadcast · social media · platform · algorithm · clickbait · sensationalism · breaking news · pundit · commentary · press
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- troll farmOrganized disinformation operation
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
psyops · state-sponsored · weaponized · bad actor · foreign interference · targeted · polarization · radicalization · incitement
WHO
UN health authority
- public healthCommunity-level disease prevention
- vaccine hesitancyReluctance to accept immunization
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
health crisis · epidemiology · quarantine · health anxiety · panic buying
fact-checking
Confirming accuracy of claims
- debunkingProving claims false
- verificationProving something accurate
- accuracyDegree of correctness
sourcing · credibility · media literacy · critical thinking · evidence · proof · Snopes · PolitiFact · reliable sources · cross-referencing
- pandemiclockdowns, COVID-19, outbreak, COVID, SARS-CoV
- misinformationfake news, falsehoods, hoaxes, lies, false claims
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, virtue signaling, virtue signal, dog whistle
infodemicmedia literacy
Skill evaluating information sources
clarity · informed consent · knowledge · discernment · critical thinking
information, pandemic, epidemic, misinformation, endemic, disinformation