Sources of Misinformation During the COVID Pandemic: The Role of Non-Profit Organizations

Abstract

In this paper, I review the major sources of misinformation regarding the COVID pandemic, after first reviewing the problem of misformation and public health. In particular, I outline the four major sources of misinformation: social media, government agencies, traditional new outlets, as well as non-profit or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In my critical review, I find that NGOs hold an key role in countering the problem of misinformation, and I conclude with ways in which NGOs can improve their function in civil society through both correcting misconceptions about their causes (advocacy), as well as provide accurate information to leading experts and donors (development). In particular, I highlight how NGOs serving the needs of immigrants in the United States play key roles in both advocacy and development. I begin with my review of the information ecology in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.