JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

An infodemic is an overabundance of information– some accurate and some not – occurring during an epidemic. In a similar manner to an epidemic, it spreads between humans through digital and physical information systems. It makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it. A WHO technical consultation on responding to the infodemic related to the COVID-19 pandemic was held, entirely online, in order to crowdsource suggested actions for a framework for infodemic management. A group of policymakers, public health professionals, researchers, students and other concerned stakeholders was joined by representatives of the media, social media platforms, various private sector organizations and civil society to suggest and discuss actions for all parts of society, and multiple related professional and scientific disciplines, methods and technologies. 594 ideas for actions were crowdsourced online during the discussions and consolidated into suggestions for an infodemic management framework. The first version of this framework proposes five action areas in which WHO Member States and actors within society can apply, according to their mandate, an infodemic management approach adapted to national contexts and practices. Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related infodemic require swift, regular, systematic and coordinated action from multiple sectors of society and government. It remains crucial that we promote trusted information and fight misinformation, thereby helping save lives as the pandemic runs its course.