The quality and quantity of the generation and dissemination of mis- and disinformation in the form of inaccurate media are unprecedented resulting in the emergence of infodemics (rapid and far-reaching spread of both accurate and inaccurate information about a topic) They often relate to important matters (e.g., elections), and introduce risks that will likely escalate further. Although labeling false information seems logical in fighting false information, and experts call for this approach, findings in the literature on information-related labels are ambivalent.
Read MoreMisinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines spread through social media and shape how people make health decisions. Our latest work addresses these questions by identifying how vaccine misinformation that originates in books sold via online marketplaces gets legitimized and spread through social media.
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