’People sharing misinformation generally do not act in bad faith’

Communication and media psychologist Dr Tobias Rothmund Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena) - Whether in a Facebook post, in a chain letter, or in a YouTube video - there is a huge amount of fake information on the coronavirus circulating online, claiming that the virus is no more dangerous than the common flu or that home remedies like garlic protect you from an infection, for example. In our interview, Tobias Rothmund, communication and media psychologist at the University of Jena explains why such myths are a problem and what you can do if your friends and relatives are among the ones sharing them. Why is there so much false news surrounding the pandemic right now? There is a high degree of insecurity among the population. But that is normal. Hardly anyone has ever experienced such a situation. People are afraid, looking for explanations, and still in denial about the current developments. When it comes to misinformation, it is less about whether it exists, but more about how many people believe and actively spread it.