Plandemic shows why it’s hard to stop online conspiracy theories

It is only 26 minutes long, but billed as a “factual” documentary on the coronavirus pandemic. What Are Healthcare Professionals Worried About Online Video? Plandemia This is how it is filled with medical misinformation about the origin of the virus and how it is transmitted, but just as worrying is how it is spreading on social media as quickly as the real coronavirus.

Conspiracy theory videos aren’t new to platforms like YouTube and Facebook, but most typically discuss an event after the fact or offer a counter-argument to established beliefs – as if 9/11 was an inside job. or that the Earth is in fact an apartment. There is usually little to be gained but also little to be lost by watching the videos, but in this case, medical experts warn that this video not only touts misleading information, but worse yet, makes claims that could be viewed as dangerous.

As the BBC reported, “Among his claims are that the virus must have been released from a laboratory environment and could not be naturally occurring; that the use of masks and gloves makes people sicker; and that beach closures is “foolishness” because of the “healing of germs” in the water. Such claims are not supported by reliable medical and scientific advice. “

Medical experts argue that the video also suggests data on COVID-19 has been tampered with as a means of controlling the population.

“Plandemia is the modern ordinance in today’s influence and manipulation warfare, ”warned tech industry analyst Josh Crandall of Netpop Research.

“Videos like this, and conspiracy theories in general, are like the coronavirus itself,” Crandall added. “They infect the general public, especially those with pre-existing conditions – i.e. those on the fringes and media organizations – and evolve as each new video mutates into the more ‘viral’ memes of iterations. previous ones. “

The line between theories and facts

As more and more individuals continue to get their news from social media, there is the danger that less and less of it will be based on real reporting, and instead, everyone with it. a theory can present his opinion or his ideas as a fact.

“There is no shortage of websites that promote conspiracies, but most tend to be on the fringes of mainstream beliefs and have little access to mainstream media,” said Charles King, technology analyst at Pund-IT.

That in itself created a situation where the conspiracy becomes part of the news cycle simply in the way it is now covered.

“The old ‘if it bleeds it leads’ has been replaced with ‘if it lies it flies’,” said King.

In addition, social media can also allow those who disagree with what they see in traditional – verified – news to engage with others who share beliefs that are not on the news. evening.

“Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms are giving conspiracy merchants access to a wider audience and the ability to recruit new ‘true believers’,” King added. “Since social sites have become de facto sources of information for many people, the line between demonstrable truth and fictitious lies is often thinner than it should be. “

This explains why social media platforms have been vigilant when it comes to removing any comments that could be considered dangerous. But is this the right way to go?

“In this case, yes – the video promotes ideas and behaviors that might cause gullible viewers to harm themselves,” King noted. “Leaving the video in place would be immoral and unethical.”

However, this could be seen as a form of censorship, which could only fuel the most extreme theories. It could also be seen to silence an audience.

“In mainstream media, CNN tells one side of the story, usually a Democratic or Liberal side, while Fox News goes to the other extreme and pushes a more Republican or Conservative point of view,” Lon suggested. , technology evangelist and social media entrepreneur. Safko.

“What we see on social media is a lot that nobody reports,” he added. “But we are also seeing that Google and YouTube, as well as Facebook, are removing any comments on the coronavirus that do not correspond to accepted beliefs on the matter. There are those to the extreme who are terrified of what the government is doing in their country. back and their voices are silenced by these platforms. Social media stops them. It sends a very different kind of message. “

In many ways, this throws in more fuel which could then bring out more extreme views.

“Truth and belief are often confused, especially by those who cannot tell the difference between them or will not make an honest effort to do so,” retorted King of Pund-IT. “If it is inevitable that someone is offended, let it be those who spread malicious disinformation.”

Information is not quarantined

Another serious problem with the dissemination of information is that anyone can now come up with a theory; post it online, create an audience that in turn can convince the masses that it must be true. Despots, hucksters, fraudsters, crooks, and pseudo-apostles all have one thing in common: their charismatic ability to convince an audience that what they say might be the truth.

Add to that social media in the days of COVID-19, when people have more time to stare blankly at a screen and it’s easy to see why the theories are being believed. Regarding the creators of South Park, who created the mythical “ManBearPig” as an allegory of global warming, today we have instead “ManSheepParrot” – like those who listen to the message without asking questions like a sheep and send it back to whoever wants to hear it !

“People are worried and isolated; they spend a lot of time on social media looking for a connection, almost any connection will do,” explained Crandall of Netpop Research. “When a well-produced piece of propaganda like Plandemia finds its way into its news feed or recommended videos alongside another from a reputable media company, people, already bored, tired and scared, won’t question the authenticity of the content as quickly . Worse yet, they may react favorably to manipulation because they just need a target for their anger, fear and grief. “

The question then becomes whether this is a censorship of valid information or a decision necessary to stop the dissemination of harmful information.

“Facebook’s announcement to create an independent board to assess content distributed on the panel is a first step in creating change,” added Crandall. “Yet it is wise to question the effectiveness of this solution.”