Misinformation in the Information Space of Ukrainian Society during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The specificity of misinformation about Covid-19 which was outspread in the media landscape of Ukrainian society was demonstrated in the article. The authors relying on the basics of postmodern theory within interdisciplinary discourse trace the means of forming misinformation and its influence on changing worldview landmarks of humanity. The authors underline that information in the postmodern conception of Jean Baudrillard is also capable to destroy its own content, communication and social ground. Misinformation about Covid-19 is «a stage setting of communication» since it only creates insight into sense and is outspreaded with different channels (traditional and new media) with usage of photographic and video materials, emotional headlines and messages. Fake materials which have been outspreaded in online media and social networks are analyzed in the article. The authors found out that fake messages outspreaded in Ukrainian media refer to the following topic (the origin of Covid-19; frauds under the guise of doctors try to get the money of nationals; fictional money penalties for breaking the rules of quarantine; pseudomedical recommendations for taking some medicines and means of diagnosis Covid-19; statements of public authorities about strengthening the regime of quarantine; the speed of spreading Covid-19 in other countries; insufficient readiness of the Ukrainian society to Covid-19, etc.). It is stated that the quick expansion of misinformation was facilitated by the fact that the nationals of Ukraine took information without criticism, without fact-checking, since they moved to a new space of life of the individual and made «a stage setting of sense».