What we can learn from information flows about COVID-19: Implications for research and practice

Abstract

COVID-19 has become a global pandemic affecting billions of people. Its impact on societies worldwide will be felt for years to come. The purpose of this research is to examine information flows about COVID-19 to understand the information-specific underpinnings that are shaping understandings of this crisis. As a starting point, this research analyzes information about COVID-19 from a selection of information sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (NHCPRC), and three news outlets with vast global coverage. The analysis reveals some distinctive information underpinnings about COVID-19, including (a) flows of information becoming regular and larger around certain dates, (b) preponderance of information imperfections such as incomplete information, misinformation, and disinformation, and (c) absence of information about some key turning points. The implications of these information imperfections in that they create information failures and, hence, ineffective approaches to dealing with this crisis warrant further investigation.