The dissemination of information in a crisis context

We live in a time where information is one of the most valuable commodities. Knowing first and telling first are important advantages that many seek. Information allows us to make better choices. It makes us more aware, prevented and prepared for events and challenges. However, the accelerated flow of content generation and sharing also leads us to a scenario of confusion, where truth and lies mix. This scenario forms a fertile ground for the spread of panic and for the accentuation of crises, giving space for other ills of our humanity to emerge in the form of prejudice and intolerance. 

Humor, solidarity and panic can be made of one information

2020 started out with some big scares in the city of Belo Horizonte. First, the case of intoxication by a popular beer in the city. More than 20 people were ill with the contaminated beer, and 4 died. During the first days of the year, the city was filled with rumors about the precedence of the disease, about the clinical character of the victims, among many other speculative stories. There were countless message chains on Whatsapp bringing information and misinformation about the disease – it was even reported that it was a resurgence of the Ebola crisis. The population was alarmed, drinks were removed from supermarket shelves, and at the same time, hundreds of memes were created about the case. The case was a scandal and is now under investigation. 

The city of Belo Horizonte experienced heavy rains on the last weeks of January and is still under constant alert for dangerous storms. Four days later, warnings were triggered by the civil defense in order to avoid or minimize damage to the population. Soon the information spread through other news channels and personal profiles, with sensational tones and fanciful information. Last Tuesday, the 28th, another heavy rain hit the city, this time in the most expensive neighborhoods of the city, generating discussions on the network about the difference in the repercussion of a tragedy when it reaches more privileged sectors of society. 

As soon as rain damage began to manifest, videos spread over the networks, accentuating the perception of the gravity of the situation. Suddenly, we watched videos of the flooded city, houses collapsing, cars being dragged, trees falling, mall ceiling collapsing … With the images of chaos before the eyes, the web mobilized on the subject and the same media materials were divided between panic, memes, selective indignation, discussions about the neglect of public administration and campaigns to support those affected.

 Misinformation is part of other problems 

On a worldwide scale, the population is following the news about the new virus that has spread throughout the world in fear. The coronavirus, which focused on China, has already reached 18 countries and the cases accumulate interspersed with inaccurate news and manifestations of prejudice and xenophobia disguised either in acid humor or in caution. Anthropologist Rosana Pinheiro Machado’s column for The Intercept Brazil highlights how reactions around the world demonstrate that the epidemic of xenophobia and prejudice is even greater and may be more damaging than the virus that, according to WHO, killed 2% of infected people. The author points out how our stereotyped imaginary from the East manifests itself in disinformation and spreads driven by the sharing of a sense of political authority historically constructed from the West over the East. 

The absolutely untrue informations that has taken over the networks – such as that the origin of the virus came from bat soup consumed in China, or that parents were abandoning infected children at the airport – are opportunities for xenophobia to distill, projecting shallow stereotypes about a reality that we do not know. The lies spread in an indiscriminate and disrespectful way and reveal a pretense of ethnocentric superiority, which points to traces of exoticism and absurdity in the Other and easily clings to simplistic explanations for problems and realities that we do not share. By ethnocentrism, we understand the tendency for people to place their own culture, nation and ideas as foundations for understanding the world and the other. It is not the first time this has happened, nor does it look like it will be the last. In the Ebola outbreak, in 2014, we experienced similar situations and we also pointed out problems in the other, making it clear that we had, in addition to a public health political problem, a racism political problem, as presented in the column by journalist Eliane Brum. 

The diffusion of these speeches leads us to the concept of Orientalism, which Edward Said presents as a political and social fact in the construction of knowledge about the East around the world. The theorist argues about how Western European identity was built in opposition to the Eastern one, with a close relationship marked by questions of politics and power historically experienced by a remarkable domination of the West over the East, colonial history and a “flexible positional superiority” , which gives the West an advantage in its relations. According to the author, ideas, cultures are marked by relations of strength and power, and studying them without taking this into account would be a mistake. In this sense, the knowledge we consume about the other should not be understood only as a neutral description but as an instrument by which the maintenance of power and domination relationships manifested in political categories and understandings.

Governments, platforms and users: who can stop disinformation?

In China, at least 8 people have been arrested for spreading false information about the coronavirus and another 40 are under investigation. Even from official government sources, lying information emerged, such as the deputy general director of the information department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, who published a video of the construction of a residential building claiming it was a new hospital in Wuhan. The arrest for sharing fake news seems a disproportionate measure and it also demonstrates the lack of repertoire on the part of the government to deal with this type of problem. The effort to regulate the internet is important to create guidelines and prevent phenomena like this from happening. Even though there are more questions than answers today, there is a need for actors to strive in a responsive and responsible manner, especially actors with greater agenda and action power – such as government, legal institutions, mainstream media, providers of application. 

On social media platforms, according to Axios, between January 24 and 27, more than 13,000 posts were fired on Twitter, Facebook and Reddit, spreading misinformation about the virus. Some even considered it to be a biological weapon or a population control measure. There is a call for platforms to work on ways to contain the spread of fake news with a robust and responsive structure that manages this problem. There is an especially acute difficulty when it comes to information that flows in private groups. Over last week, Facebook decided to remove untrue content about the coronavirus from the air, a notable decision, given that it deters the actions taken by the platform so far.

In the meantime, users are advised not to share inaccurate information, which raises conspiracy theories and does not show credibility. As well as sensitive content that displays people in distress should not be shared. Respect for the image and condition of the other must prevail as a principle to be respected for a conscious and positive use of the internet. In crisis situations like the ones we have been experiencing, it is necessary to have, more than ever, sensitivity to take care of ourselves and the other and make this network a place that unites us in the face of social, political, ecological, sanitary challenges and all the others that we must face it collectively.

Conclusion

Knowing what happens in the world and around us is a condition of our generation. However, it is necessary to understand that information sharing is an act that must be accompanied by responsibility and awareness. One information can save lives or ruin others, comments can raise awareness of beautiful solidarity campaigns or fuel hate and prejudice. We, as users, should value journalism committed to the truth and seriousness of the news and recognize our role in promoting a more positive internet. In times of catastrophes, the internet can be a great tool in the service of social welfare that helps us to overcome our problems as a society, that allows us to mobilize intelligently and strategically. Fear and panic are powerful vectors to raise our dark characteristics, and the internet is a favorable space to enhance the reach of ideas, information and, then, to build or destroy bridges of support and cooperation.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors.
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