Infodemic Disorder: Covid-19 Coping Strategies in Europe, Canada and Mexico

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a crisis of legitimacy and authority in public communication, leading to an information disorder. This volume analyzes the links between communication strategies of public institutions and citizen communication, investigating how communication processes have changed in three geographical contexts: Europe, Canada, and Mexico. It highlights the coping strategies implemented by public institutions and citizens to share information during the pandemic.

Format: Hardback
Length: 271 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in the information processes of public institutions and citizens, leading to the emergence of the infodemic disorder. This crisis has manifested in a crisis of legitimacy of institutions and authority in public communication, resulting in the urgent need to find information related to pandemic coping. This state of information disorder is characterized by increased attention to issues such as 'fake news,' 'misinformation,' and 'media manipulation,' which are intertwined in digital platform ecosystems. The effects of these issues on democracy, public communication, research, and the sharing of information in the civic sphere are widespread and far-reaching.

This volume aims to analyze the relationships between communication strategies of public institutions and the resulting citizen communication during the pandemic. It explores this infodemic disorder in three distinct geographical contexts: Europe, Canada, and Mexico, while also highlighting the formal and informal coping strategies implemented by public institutions and citizens.

The book begins with an introduction to the crisis of information created by the pandemic, providing a theoretical framework and contagion data. Subsequently, contributors build on this foundation by examining the public communication strategies employed by public institutions and the actions taken by citizens to share information in each of the analyzed geographical contexts.

The chapters in the volume offer valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of public institutions and citizen communication during the pandemic. They explore the challenges faced by public institutions in responding to the information needs of citizens, as well as the strategies they employ to maintain trust and credibility. Citizens, on the other hand, are also adapting their communication practices to navigate the complex information landscape, seeking out reliable sources and engaging in meaningful dialogue.

The volume also highlights the role of technology in shaping the infodemic disorder. The rise of social media and other digital platforms has facilitated the spread of misinformation and fake news, leading to confusion and polarization. However, it has also provided opportunities for citizens to participate in public communication and share information more effectively.

Overall, this contributed volume provides a comprehensive analysis of the changes in the information processes of public institutions and citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that have emerged in this new context, and offers valuable insights into the strategies that can be employed to address the infodemic disorder and promote informed and engaged citizenship.

Weight: 503g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031136979
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023