UN chief on COVID-19 and misinformation


Apr 14, 2020

António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) video message on COVID-19 and misinformation

As the world fights the deadly COVID-19 pandemic – the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War – we are also seeing another epidemic — a dangerous epidemic of misinformation.
Around the world, people are scared. They want to know what to do and where to turn for advice.
This is a time for science and solidarity.
Yet the global ‘misinfo-demic’ is spreading.
Harmful health advice and snake-oil solutions are proliferating.
Falsehoods are filling the airwaves.
Wild conspiracy theories are infecting the Internet.
Hatred is going viral, stigmatizing and vilifying people and groups.
The world must unite against this disease, too.
The vaccine is trust.
First, trust in science.
I salute the journalists and others fact-checking the mountain of misleading stories and social media posts.
Social media companies must do more to root out hate and harmful assertions about COVID-19.
Second, trust in institutions — grounded in responsive, responsible, evidence-based governance and leadership.
And trust in each other. Mutual respect and upholding human rights must be our compass in navigating this crisis.
Together, let’s reject the lies and nonsense out there.
Today I am announcing a new United Nations Communications Response initiative to flood the Internet with facts and science while countering the growing scourge of misinformation — a poison that is putting even more lives at risk.
With common cause for common sense and facts, we can defeat COVID-19 — and build a healthier, more equitable, just and resilient world.
Thank you.

7 thoughts on “UN chief on COVID-19 and misinformation

  1. They’re pressing hard. They know the toothpaste won’t go back in the tube. What to do with the pesky, little “disinfo” agents?

    Don’t know who to credit, but saw something the other day that read something like this:

    “Conspiracy Theorists: Individuals who are committed to exposing lies.”

    Pretty good company to keep.

    🙂

    .

    1. “Conspiracy Theorists: Individuals who are committed to exposing lies.”

      I like to call us ‘critical thinkers’ 🙂

  2. Anyone who would listen to this totalitarian moron deserves what they get. The last place I would look for information on anyting is the vile, corrupt and evil UN.

  3. ‘Wild conspiracy theories are infecting the Internet.
    Hatred is going viral, stigmatizing and vilifying people and groups.
    The world must unite against this disease, too.
    The vaccine is trust.’
    First, trust in science.

    You son of a bitch lying murderer !!! YOU and your ilk are going down!!!
    EXPLOSIVE interview with Dr. Judy Mikovits author of ‘Plague of Corruption’….. this must go viral!

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