Politicians and celebrities also play a key role.Ī 2020 analysis by Oxford University researchers found that misleading posts by public figures were only a fraction of the total but drew the most engagement.Īll this has helped create what the WHO calls an "infodemic" - an overload of information, some of it false or misleading, causing confusion and "risk-taking behaviours that can harm health". WHY IS COVID MISINFORMATION SO POPULAR ONLINE?Ī 2018 Twitter study found that falsehoods spread faster than truth on the site not because of its algorithms, but because of its users the authors speculated that the novelty of much false news made it more appealing to share.Ī separate 2020 study found social-media users seemed to care more about winning likes than being accurate when they opted to share information about COVID-19. The former comedian attracts more listeners than any other Spotify podcast, with an audience estimated at more than 10 million. "And there is no clear evidence that content labels and links to information hubs reduce the spread of misinformation." "Platforms should know they can't solve misinformation by slapping on a simple warning label," said Willmary Escoto a policy analyst for Access Now, a digital rights group. On Sunday, Spotify said it would add a content advisory to any episode that discussed COVID, directing listeners to a hub containing facts and information from medical and health experts, as well as links to trusted sources.
He has since apologised, pledging to bring more balance to his show. Rogan has drawn criticism for saying young people don't need vaccination and for hosting proponents of ivermectin, an anti-parasite drug with no proven benefit against COVID-19.
More complaints soon followed, with artists Nils Lofgren and Joni Mitchell requesting their music be pulled from the streaming service, and Prince Harry and his wife Meghan also voicing concern. The case erupted last week, when singer-songwriter Neil Young asked Spotify to take his music off the platform, saying it was spreading misinformation by streaming Rogan's show. WHAT'S THE SPOTIFY CONTROVERSY ALL ABOUT? While some companies have curbed harmful content, critics say their efforts have not gone far enough. Spotify is the latest tech firm to come under pressure for airing false claims and conspiracies since the start of the coronavirus pandemic - an issue that the World Health Organisation has said was costing lives. podcaster and vaccine sceptic Joe Rogan, whose top-rated Spotify show prompted protests by singers and scientists alike, has reignited debate on how online platforms police Covid-19 misinformation.
Why is misleading and false information on the coronavirus pandemic so widespread online, and what are tech platforms doing to tackle it? Here are some answers
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