Viral conspiracy videos spread misinformation

Transcript

There is new concern over the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus.

Social media companies like Facebook and YouTube say they are looking to fight Covid-19 misinformation but they are struggling to keep up with a flood of conspiracy theories.

Theories that experts say are putting people in harms way.

This week you might’ve seen friends and family sharing this slickly produced video called “Plandemic.”

By the time Facebook and YouTube took it down, it had raked in millions of views.

Experts say it is full of false claims and outright lies and people are falling for it.

Facebook said it pulled the video because it claimed wearing masks could make people sick.

YouTube said it removed the video because it included “medically unsubstantiated diagnostic advice for Covid-19.”

But even after the companies removed the video, copies of it still circulated.

Online fact checkers say Covid-19 misinformation is spreading almost as fast as the virus.

But why are people pushing misinformation?

Research experts say some do it to make money, to sell some sort of health supplement, to push a specific political agenda and some do it just to see if they can get away with it.

And as social media struggles to keep up with and contain the spread of misinformation, it’s more important than ever to think before you share.

Posted – 5.8.20