Topic : role of media
5. “Managing the infodemic has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic”, do you agree? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Chief Scientist, World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that managing the infodemic has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in what way managing the infodemic has been a serious challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Firstly, define what an Infodemic is.
Body:
“Infodemic” is defined as having too much information, including false or misleading information, particularly on social media.
It was asserted that infodemic led to confusion, risk-taking and ultimately mistrust towards governments and the public health response.
WHO has been working with technology companies to address this challenge by directing the public to credible sources of information, taking down false and misleading information from online platforms, and developing chatbots in different languages that the public could use for accessing information.
Suggest solutions to overcome such a challenge.
Discuss the efforts being made in the country to overcome such challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions.
