Abstract
The Covid-19 outbreak, which was classified as a global pandemic as of March 1, 2020, exemplifies the significance of managing communications during difficult times and navigating an information environment characterized by uncertainty in a novel way. In the early phases of the pandemic, non-scientific information spread rapidly, and Covid-19 has been the subject of a great deal of misinformation, including claims that the pandemic is not real, that the virus was created in a laboratory, and that vaccinations would alter human genetics. In reality, a strategic approach is required to effectively combat conspiracy theories developed by professionals and disseminated by ordinary citizens in various nations. The European Union (EU) sees disinformation as a threat to the Union’s continued existence and to the capacity of its members to maintain a democratic society. Access to reliable sources has become more difficult due to the increase in social media users and information overload. This unreliable atmosphere, according to the EU, “discredits democratic institutions and harms member states.” It develops strategies against disinformation campaigns to prevent a deterioration in relations between its member states. The EU has devised a strategy to counter Covid-19 disinformation through transparent, timely, and factual communication. The Union has made several decisions and developed a code of conduct and action plan. The purpose of this study is to develop the EU’s strategies and methodologies for combating disinformation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Güner, O. (2023). From Pandemic to Infodemic: The European Union’s Fight Against Disinformation. In: Akıllı, E., Gunes, B. (eds) World Politics in the Age of Uncertainty. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-39607-6_16
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