The spread of disinformation over the Internet has become a global phenomenon, and therefore a major international challenge that affects us all.

Consequences of disinformation on COVID-19 

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the spread of fake news and the disputing and twisting of facts have increased. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an "infodemic." It endangers and keeps costing human lives. Because people also become ill through denying the virus, non-compliance with protective measures such as distancing, hygiene, masks and ventilation, or the use of purported miracle cures, often with fatal consequences.

That is what the Federal Government is doing

The Federal Government is committed to combating disinformation and fake news. An important means of achieving this is especially our own increasingly fact-based and transparent communication. In particular, the focus is also on strengthening the media, news and digital information skills, but also on research to help identify disinformation and deep fakes.

In addition, the Federal Government is supporting projects that strengthen social cohesion and thereby counteract hatred and division, which can result from disinformation. 

You can also get involved!

The good news is that each and every one of us can do something against the spread of disinformation and half-truths. These questions help to stop the unintended spread of disinformation:

• Who formulated and disseminated the message, and with what purpose?
• What is the source?
• When was the message published?
• Why do I want to share it?

Online test for digital news skills
News test – how good are you with news on the net?

Why and how do fake news spread?

In times of crisis, people are often unsettled and have an understandably high need for information. However, it is precisely at the beginning of a crisis that the responsible authorities often do not have accurate information yet. In this breeding ground of uncertainty, fake news and targeted disinformation spread particularly widely and quickly.

With COVID-19, we are dealing with a novel virus. It took time before scientists were able to provide reliable information about its mode of action. This time was used partly consciously, but also unconsciously, to spread false claims. The aim of intentional dissemination is to unsettle and manipulate people, and to destabilise societies. Foreign actors also use such means to pursue their own interests, for example by trying to weaken open democracies or state communities such as the EU.

Disinformation is spread mainly via social media and messaging services. Here, it spreads rapidly: by "likes", comments and forwarding. False information that spreads through social media or messaging services such as WhatsApp or Telegram seems particularly credible because it is mostly from relatives, friends or people you know.

Three steps to help you identify disinformation

Each and every one of us can help stop disinformation. Critically question content, check the sources, and if you are unsure, do not forward a message!

Report dubious material, especially illegal content or hate speech, on social networks. In this way, you can prevent others from being misinformed, and possibly even avoid putting your own health at risk.

Step 1: Take a moment, check facts and sources

The most important thing is checking the source. Who formulated the message, and with what purpose? It also helps to compare dubious messages against other sources: Are the numbers in the text correct? You can find information on the official portals of the Federal Government and the Länder as well as through the media services of public-sector news channels and reputable newspapers.

Stick to the verified accounts of official agencies and institutions on social networks (identified by a blue tick) and check the legal notice on websites. This should include a contact responsible for website content and a full address, not just an anonymous e-mail address.

Do a "cross-check" using a search engine, to determine if the person named as the author really exists. In addition, check that the "expert" is really a specialist in the field they are talking about.

You can also use an image search to check whether an image has already previously been used in a different context. You can check whether an image or video has been manipulated using specially developed applications.

Step 2: Use fact checkers

Various state and private organisations, as well as the public broadcasters, are involved in specific fact checking and correction of individual fake news reports. There are more and more cases of coronavirus-related hoaxes. Experienced fact checkers include, for example: the Federal Agency for Civic Education podcast on conspiracy theories, the EU vs. Disinfo campaign of the European External Action Service (EEAS), or the Mythbusters from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Step 3: If you have any doubt, do not forward a message, but report it instead.

This step is not for verification, but serves to curb the spread of fake news. Fake news are often spread by private individuals without malicious intent, but because people worry. In cases of doubt, fake news stir up uncertainty or spread panic. The more emotional the message, the more often it is spread.

However, it is all the more important not to spontaneously participate in this dissemination, but rather to check the facts calmly, and to report the item to the respective platform operator if necessary. 

Working together in the EU

The Federal Government is convinced that disinformation can only be combated together – in our country and in the European Union. We therefore support, for example, the efforts of the European Democracy Action Plan.