Journalists attempting to address disinformation surrounding the coronavirus in 2020 were likely to produce their own fact-checks, with nearly 30 percent of journalists questioned adopting this method worldwide. Looking at how journalists proactively responded to the spread of false content, the survey from 2020 also found that 29 percent of journalists exposed false information via digital verification tools.
Main ways journalists address disinformation surrounding COVID-19 worldwide as of June 2020
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Produced fact-checks and debunks
29%
Used digital verification tools to expose false video/images/audio/memes
29%
Collaborated with other news organizations/NGOs/academics on investigations
20%
Joined fact-checking collectives
12%
Engaged audiences in media literacy campaigns to help them identify disinformation
12%
Created a COVID-19 specific disinformation beat
7%
Conduced live fact-checking (e.g. during press conferences)
6%
Conducted forensic interviews
4%
Collaborated with social media companies on fact-checking
4%
Conducted big data investigations into disinformation networks
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ICFJ. (October 13, 2020). Main ways journalists address disinformation surrounding COVID-19 worldwide as of June 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 12, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251475/journalists-tackle-covid-disinformation-worldwide/
ICFJ. "Main ways journalists address disinformation surrounding COVID-19 worldwide as of June 2020." Chart. October 13, 2020. Statista. Accessed November 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251475/journalists-tackle-covid-disinformation-worldwide/
ICFJ. (2020). Main ways journalists address disinformation surrounding COVID-19 worldwide as of June 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251475/journalists-tackle-covid-disinformation-worldwide/
ICFJ. "Main Ways Journalists Address Disinformation Surrounding Covid-19 Worldwide as of June 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Oct 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251475/journalists-tackle-covid-disinformation-worldwide/
ICFJ, Main ways journalists address disinformation surrounding COVID-19 worldwide as of June 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251475/journalists-tackle-covid-disinformation-worldwide/ (last visited November 12, 2024)
Main ways journalists address disinformation surrounding COVID-19 worldwide as of June 2020 [Graph], ICFJ, October 13, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251475/journalists-tackle-covid-disinformation-worldwide/
