Archives

Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences (IJPAB)
Year : 2021, Volume : 9, Issue : 1
First page : (204) Last page : (209)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8581

Understanding Hoax News during the Covid-19 Health Crisis from the Perspective of Information Behavior: The case of India

Intikhab Alam Shamsi¹ and S Rehan Ahmad^2*
1Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Sciences, Sandip University, Madhubani, Bihar
^2*Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, H M M College for Women, Kolkata, W.B., India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: zoologist.rehan@gmail.com
Received: 7.01.2021 | Revised: 11.02.2021 | Accepted: 16.02.2021 

 ABSTRACT

Background: The role of communication in the promotion of public health is vital. Especially in crises such as Covid-19, its significance has increased manifold. Now regardless of whether it is to clarify the advantages of immunization or to keep hands clean, or to take the individual measures, the significance of health reporting can't be denied. In this regard, where the traditional media like newspaper and television is assuming its part, the significance of online media has likewise expanded colossally. Method: Analysis of current trends shows that messages emerging from mass media are expanding and gaining popularity through digital outlets and social media. This has given rise to a new phenomenon called Infodemic.  This is actually an abundance of information that includes both true and false in nature. The article examines the role of mass media at the time of epidemics with regard to Infodemics. Result: The analysis shows that in a country like India where media utilization has soared, the need to promote quality health journalism has increased as health literacy levels are still extremely low. Conclusion: It’s time to frame a strict law in our parliament against fake news and those who spread fake news.

Keywords: Pandemic Communication, Health Communication, Infodemic, Fake news, COVID 19, Quality Journalism.

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Shamsi, I. A., & Ahmad, S.R. (2021). Understanding Hoax News during the Covid-19 Health Crisis from the Perspective of Information Behavior: The case of India, Ind. J. Pure App. Biosci. 9(1), 204-209. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8581