Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jul 12, 2020
Date Accepted: Jan 22, 2021
Date Submitted to PubMed: Jan 25, 2021
Rumor Epidemic and Responses During the Period of COVID-19 Outbreak in China: an Infodemiology Study Based on the Chinese Rumor Refuting Platforms
ABSTRACT
Background:
During the outbreak period of COVID-19, numerous rumors emerged on the Internet in China causing cognitive chaos among the public. However, these rumors’ characteristics at different phases of the epidemic have not been studied in depth and the official response to rumors has also not been evaluated systematically.
Objective:
To evaluate rumor epidemic and official responses during COVID-19 outbreak in China, providing a scientific basis for effective information communication in future public health crises.
Methods:
Data on Internet rumors related to COVID-19, collected via Sina Weibo Platform to Refute Rumors between January 20 and April 8, 2020, were extracted and analyzed. Different classifications of rumors were described and compared over the 5 periods. The trend of the epidemic and the public’s focus at different stages were plotted, the geographic distribution of rumors and rumor-refuters were graphed, and content analyzes were applied to reveal the hot spot of the rumors.
Results:
A total of 1,943 rumors were retrieved. The median of the response interval between publication and debunking of rumors was 1 day. Rumors in texts accounted for the majority (63.9%); chat tools were the most common platform for their initial publishing (72.7%). Weibo and web pages were more likely to be the platforms for rumors released as combination and multimedia, respectively. Local agencies played a large role in dispelling rumors among social media platforms (79.1%). There were significant differences in the forms and origins of rumors over the 5 periods (P <0.001). Hubei Province accounted for most of the country’s confirmed rumors. Beijing and Wuhan city were the main centers for disinformation debunking. The hot words included in the headlines of rumors varied over periods, indicating shifting public’s concern.
Conclusions:
Chat tools, particularly WeChat, had become the major origins of rumors during this outbreak, indicating the requirement to establish rumor monitoring and refuting mechanism on such platforms. Meanwhile, targeted policy adjustments and timely release of official information are needed in different phases of the outbreak.
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