Conservative and right-wing voices play an outsized role in spreading mis- and disinformation online about the COVID pandemic worldwide.
The U.S. right-wing has played a particularly important role in the rise and spread of various forms of COVID disinformation. However, it is not just a U.S. online phenomenon, but rather a worldwide right-wing scourge.
A number of common themes and narratives are being pushed by right-wing Twitter accounts in the United States, Italy, and France in particular. These included racist and anti-immigrant themes and narratives, especially directed at China.
There is also a substantial overlap between right-wing voices promoting conspiracy theories and public health misinformation.
However, the campaign to push #FlattenTheCurve and related hashtags was successful for a time in mid-March. It was a small case study in the efficacy of science communication that attests to the positive, and likely life-saving, impact of credible information online.
The full article is available here
