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The human cost of viral misinformation

Misinformation about coronavirus flooding social media. But what are its real-world effects? We found links to assaults, arsons, serious injuries and even deaths.

What鈥檚 the human cost of viral misinformation?
In an exclusive report, we track the worldwide effects of bad information about coronavirus. Misleading info has led to deaths in the US, alcohol poisonings in Iran, drug overdoses in Nigeria and Vietnam, religious violence in India and arsons by people convinced by conspiracy theories.
It鈥檚 a sobering tally of the human effects of so-called 鈥渇ake news鈥. So what can we do to stop it?

Presenter: Reha Kansara
Reporter: Marianna Spring

Picture caption: Brian Lee Hitchens believed conspiracy thoeries about coronavirus 鈥 until he and his wife became seriously ill with the disease.
Picture credit: Brian Lee Hitchens

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18 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 May 2020 23:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 30 May 2020 04:32GMT
  • Sat 30 May 2020 08:32GMT
  • Sat 30 May 2020 17:32GMT
  • Sun 31 May 2020 22:32GMT
  • Sun 31 May 2020 23:32GMT

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