Public health officials answer reporters’ questions during a regular COVID-19 briefing at the government complex in Sejong, central South Korea, on March 2, 2020. (image: Ministry of Health and Welfare)
SEOUL, June 26 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study has revealed that the government’s handling of the so-called ‘infodemic’ situation, in which fake information regarding the coronavirus goes viral throughout society, has proven to be effective.
Prof. Sohn Ae-ree from Sahmyook University analyzed the government’s crisis management efforts amid the coronavirus outbreak based on interviews with 18 communications experts.
The expert panel gave the government an average score of 84.44 points out of 100, indicating that officials did well in addressing the spread of fake news about the coronavirus.
Regular briefings by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (scored 3.84 points out of 5) proved to be most effective against fake news, as well as the public notification system to track coronavirus patients (3.68 points).
Experts agreed that the government’s quick and accurate exchange of information prevented the public from engaging in panic buying or practicing misinformed quarantine activities.
“The coronavirus can easily generate various kinds of rumors, since we don’t have enough scientific data about the disease,” said Sohn.
“As long as we are able to receive accurate information through quick and transparent channels, we’ll be able to stop the inflow of fake information.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
