On January 26, 2022, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting in Central Asia presented the results of a content analysis of the common COVID-19 fakes at a regional presentation.
The goal of the research was to outline the key features of the most common COVID-19 fakes in the region by the content analysis method. A number of social factors shaped research into the origins and distribution of fake information: the underdeveloped information sphere, the need to study the influence of information products on social phenomena, and the general absence of research on public opinion among internet users in the region.
A total of 154 fakes published from February 1 to October 31, 2020, were analysed.
In his welcoming speech, Abakhon Sultonnazarov, Regional Director of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting in Central Asia (IWPR CA), emphasised that the fight against disinformation is a complex multilevel problem. All interested parties – the authorities, media, and internet users – must counter it.
“It is very important to discuss the scale of disinformation, amplification of the work to improve the media literacy of users, and closer cooperation between us to counter fakes. Our research helps to understand various aspects of the COVID-19 fake news’ appearance on social media and possible strategies to counter them.”
Deputy Programme Portfolio Manager for Central Asia at the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Karen Hamling noted that the spread of fake news is becoming a global problem. “Incorrect or false information can harm not only the physical but also the mental health of people. Therefore, the fight against disinformation and fakes is crucial.”
IWPR CA Project Coordinator Begaiym Adzhikeeva also spoke within the framework of the presentation. She presented a general overview and results of the Development of New Media and Digital Journalism in Central Asia project and CABAR.asia Media School’s work with journalism faculties.
Then, the researchers from four countries presented cases for each country, shared conclusions and recommendations for government agencies, journalism faculties, media, and international organisations.
Karlyga Mysayeva, Candidate of Philology (PhD equivalent), Associate Professor in the Faculty of Journalism, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, presented the key results for Kazakhstan and noted that most common fakes covered topics of treatment and self-treatment not only in Kazakhstan but throughout Central Asia. Despite numerous refutations, social media users continue to believe in the healing power of alternative medicines. This is caused by the fact that people tend to interpret information in light of well-known and comprehensible value systems.
Jazgul Ibraimova, IWPR Central Asia Research Coordinator, presented an overview of the case of Kyrgyzstan. She noted that in Kyrgyzstan, most popular fakes were related to government and country national policies in order to discredit them or undermine stability. She also noted that country fakes created to score political points amid the pandemic were widespread in Kyrgyzstan.
Research and Analysis Consultant Katoen Faromuzova presented the main findings from Tajikistan and noted that clickbait or provocative headlines were the main reason for the fakes’ popularity. In addition, there were cases of distortion of the truth or incomplete information, including inaccurate translations of research from other languages.
Independent Research Analyst Nozima Davletova presented an overview of the case of Uzbekistan. She described cases where fakes had significant social impact. Despite the refutations of practicing doctors, the publication of the benefits of spraying roads with chlorinated water led to public places’ spraying with chlorinated water until the fall of 2020.
The second part of the presentation was devoted to the tutors’ experience in conducting research. The tutors and students of the journalism faculties of Central Asian universities shared their impressions of participating in the research.
Maral Aitmagambetova, Senior Lecturer at the Innovative University of Eurasia (Pavlodar, Kazakhstan), said that a scientific approach and a logical structure of the work were important components of the whole research. It is worth noting that the ‘transformation’ of fakes during their distribution significantly complicated the work of researchers.
Aita Sultanalieva, Associate Professor at the Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), noted that the research team faced a lack of skills in conducting this kind of practical work. It was difficult to classify and code the data. At the same time, the results of the work revealed that undergraduate students learned to analyse incoming information more carefully, and tutors learned to present the educational material on media literacy for students more comprehensively.
Dilbar Samadova, Associate Professor at the Department of Journalism, B.Gafurov Khujand State University (Khujand, Tajikistan), noted that after participating in the research, students and tutors acquired skills in searching for data and working with software such as MS Excel. She also highlighted that the university students have united in a community to counter disinformation.
The universities’ teams shared their willingness to cooperate and noted the need to publish the results of the research in academic journals, since they are of high importance for the development of a number of humanitarian sciences, as well as to expand the scope of media research, and conduct more research in which students can apply their knowledge in practice.
One of the participants of the research Yulia Stetsenko, a student at A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University (Kazakhstan), said it was a valuable experience for her and noted the benefits of educational webinars held within the framework of the research.
“Searching for fakes’ distribution channels, we discovered many platforms and completely different digital worlds. During our work, we met various challenges that we overcame together with the tutors. I would definitely like to participate in such projects again.”
Feedback from the audience:
“This research is very interesting. I would like to thank the team for a great job and congratulate them! I will use it in my work.”
“I would like to thank the organisers and researchers! The topic is very relevant, the work is done at a high scientific level while being interesting for a wide audience!”
You can download the full version of the publication here.
This publication was prepared with the support of the UK Government. The content of the publication does not reflect the official position of the Government of the United Kingdom