COVID-19 Infodemic: Fake News, Real Censorship. Information and Freedom of Expression in Time of Coronavirus

Abstract

This paper aims to shed light on the right to information and the freedom of the media in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. Infection disease outbreaks are invariably characterized by myths and rumors, boosted by social media accounts, that media often pick up and circulate. On the grounds of protecting public health, some Member States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe imposed strict rules on the dissemination of "fake news". Lacking a legal definition of this term leaves room for arbitrary and broad interpretations. Emergency legislation adopted under the pretext of combating misinformation and disinformationand to protect public health restrict the freedom of expression and information. This essay review of the outbreak communication principles established by the World Health Organization and checks the compliance of emergency measures against fundamental human rights. ; Paper available at http://www.aracneeditrice.it/index.php/estratto.html?item=10.4399/97888255402468&isbn=9788825540246. Journal issue available from http://www.aracneeditrice.it/index.php/pubblicazione.html?item=9788825540246. ISBN: 978-88-255-4024-6 / ISSN: 2499-6394. The author gratefully acknowledges the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, for supporting this work through grant SFRH/BD/136170/2018.