During the COVID-19 Pandemic, there is an extreme amount of panic amongst people of the States, especially social media users. The media is a prime source of news right now. Although people can abuse social media and put out misinformation to create havoc. This is not okay obviously, especially when the states are in a major crisis. Although companies such as Twitter and Instagram have updated their user guidelines to now require that users remove any post that do not align with statements of officials. It also requires the removal of false and misleading information. Personally, I think this is a good thing when regarding misinformation. As you cannot go into a movie theater and scream fire when there is no fire, you should not be able to post on social media with potential havoc information. I also understand there is the concern of freedom of speech, and yes, you should be able to post an opinion without having to remove it. But due to the circumstances right now, opinions and theories should be stated they are those just for the purpose of other people – you need to be selfless. Also with the topic of freedom of speech, theoretically, the company has the right to choose what can be advertised and not advertised on their platform. They own the right to their company, and if you are causing chaos and disturbance through a post, they have the right to remove it.
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/488442-twitter-expands-coronavirus-misinformation-policy
I agree with your post and found it interesting because I didn’t necessarily think of how anyone can post whatever they want about COVID-19 and it can cause an extreme reaction out of people, especially during a time like this. Some of the biggest social medias are fighting the spread of misinformation and fake news, but with so many users on each platform it is difficult for them to stop. They can’t possibly stop everyone from posting this type of content. Their main goal is to prevent coordinated posting from larger groups or states from going viral, like when Russia interfered with the 2016 Presidential election. I also understand why people can make the argument that this is taking away their rights to their freedom of speech, but I compare this to a situation of screaming that there is a fire in a movie theater. Both these situations relate to the freedom of speech, but both types of statements can cause great consequences and chaos.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/12/social-media-giants-are-fighting-coronavirus-fake-news-its-still-spreading-like-wildfire-127038
On the topic of the coronavirus’ facts and misconceptions, people in Nigeria have been admitted for chloroquine poisoning. On President Trump’s very eventful press conference on Tuesday, he stated the chloroquine is a treatment for the virus. Although, the FDA Commissioner, Stephen Hahn, quickly debunked the drug as a possible rather than definitive treatment, social media wasn’t hearing any of it.
Now, the people are demanding for a drug with uncertain consequences. People are self medicating. Though it is possible the drug could treat the coronavirus, some people are convinced with their own truths.
The fact is yes, other countries like France and China have claimed the drug is treating their patients. However, there is still a clinical trial yet to be done. The sad part is the drug has been proven to treat patient with certain autoimmune diseases but they will be deprived of its ready availability. Scared speculation has won.
These times are very anxiety-filled. I understand people have lost their lives, their loved ones and their livelihood. However, to prevent even more damage, us as individuals need to use the internet more responsibly now more than ever. It is very easy for opinion to perceived as fact and vice versa so we all need to dig deep and see truth.
Source: https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/chloroquine-poisoning-in-nigeria-after-trump-e2-80-99s-false-claims/ar-BB11tL3t; https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/health/coronavirus-chloroquine-trump.html