DISINFORMATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: APPROACHES TO REDUCING RISKS IN DIGITAL HEALTH COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Disinformation and fake news have long undermined societal cohesion. Inaccurate or misleading information, especially regarding politics, economics, or health, can trigger social unrest. Technological advancements and the rise of digital platforms, particularly social media, have amplified the spread of false information, complicating the distinction between genuine and fabricated news. Health-related misinformation, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, posed significant public health challenges, contributing to the rise of anti-vaccine sentiments and conspiracy theories. On an individual level, susceptibility to misinformation is influenced by knowledge deficits, limited health literacy, and emotional motivations. Social factors, such as the credibility of information sources and group dynamics, also contribute to the spread of false information. Furthermore, contextual elements like emotional appeals and message repetition play a crucial role in the belief and dissemination of misinformation. Interventions at the individual level emphasize the enhancement of knowledge and critical skills, while social-level strategies focus on reshaping social norms. Additionally, regulating social media platforms is seen as key to curbing the spread of false information. This study explores the individual, social, and contextual factors that influence the belief in and sharing of misinformation, particularly in the realm of health news, and discusses potential interventions.

Keywords

• Disinformation
• digital age
• social media
• journalism
• health news

Dijital Çağda Dezenformasyon: X'te Maymun Çiçeği Virüsü

Abstract

Yanlış ve sahte haberler, toplumsal yapıların sağlıklı işleyişini tarih boyunca engellemiştir. Siyasi, ekonomik ve sağlık alanındaki yanlış veya yanıltıcı haberlerin kısa sürede toplumsal infial yaratabildiği bilinmektedir. Dijitalleşme ve sosyal medyanın yaygınlaşması, sahte haberlerin hızla yayılmasını kolaylaştırırken gerçek haberlerle ayrımını zorlaştırmıştır. Özellikle sağlık alanındaki dezenformasyon, Kovid-19 pandemisi sırasında aşı karşıtı hareketlerin ve komplo teorilerinin radikalleşmesine neden olmuştur. Bu süreçte, yanlış bilgilerin yayılması halk sağlığı önlemleri için ciddi bir sorun oluşturmuştur. Bireysel düzeyde, düşük sağlık okuryazarlığı, bilgi eksiklikleri ve duygusal motivasyon yanlış bilgilere karşı savunmasızlığı artırmaktadır. Sosyal düzeyde ise bilgi kaynaklarının güvenilirliği ve sosyal normlar, yanlış bilgilerin paylaşılmasında etkili olmaktadır. Ayrıca statü arayışı ve grup aidiyeti ihtiyacı bu süreci pekiştirmektedir. Bağlamsal düzeyde ise duygular ve mesajların tekrarı, yanlış bilgilere inanma ve paylaşma davranışlarını tetiklemektedir. Yanlış bilgileri önlemeye yönelik müdahaleler, bireysel bilgi ve beceri geliştirme stratejilerini, sosyal normları yeniden şekillendirmeyi ve sosyal medya platformlarının düzenlenmesini içermektedir. Ayrıca, sosyal eşitsizliklerin bu süreçteki rolü göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır. Yanlış bilgiye duyarlılığın bağlama bağlı olup olmadığı netleşmemiştir; bu nedenle, müdahalelerin çok boyutlu faktörleri içermesi gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmada, maymun çiçeği virüsü hakkında X platformu üzerinden yayın yapan bireysel hesapların içerikleri içerik analizi yöntemiyle ele alınacaktır. İçerik analizi, yazılı, görsel ve işitsel materyalleri sistematik ve nesnel bir şekilde incelemeye olanak tanımaktadır. Bu yöntem, dezenformasyonun biçimsel ve tematik özelliklerini tespit etmek, kullanılan dilin yapısını analiz etmek ve yayılım dinamiklerini anlamak için kapsamlı bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. Buradaki amaç, bilinçli şekilde yanlış haberlerin dijital medya platformlarında hızlıca yayılabilir olmasını tespit etmektir. Bunun yanı sıra dezenformasyonların özellikle sağlık haberleri üzerinde bireysel, sosyal ve durumsal-bağlamsal düzeydeki inanç ve paylaşım süreçleri üzerindeki etkileyici faktörler incelenecektir.

Keywords

• Dezenformasyon
• Sosyal Medya
• Sağlık Haberleri
• Gazetecilik
• Sağlık İletişimi

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