Graduation Term
2024
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
School of Communication
Committee Chair
Andrew Ventimiglia
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic not only disseminated a viral health threat worldwide but highlighted the rapid spread of misinformation, commonly called an "infodemic." This study investigates the influence of social media and fact-checking organizations in shaping public trust and information consumption during the pandemic. Utilizing a mixed-method approach of surveys and interviews, I analyzed 9 interviews. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) and Owen's (1984) principles of recurrence, repetition, and forcefulness, and three main themes were developed inductively. The findings reveal that while social media was a primary source of information, it also served as a breeding ground for misinformation, impacting public behavior. The results further show that participants felt that fact-checking organizations played a significant role in disseminating verified information. However, their effectiveness varied based on users' pre-existing beliefs and the political charge of the misinformation. The findings establish the importance of credible, transparent, and consistent information dissemination and contribute insights into improving communication in ongoing and future health crises.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Agbasiere, Chinyere Linda, "From Viral Rumors to Fact-Checked Information: the Influence of Social Media Platforms and Fact-Checking Organizations on Public Trust during the Covid-19 Crisis" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1964.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/1964
DOI
https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2024.20240827063556203603.999999