Identifying the Characteristics of Covid-19 Hoaxes

Hoaxes can be easily recognized through several parameters. Eagle-eyed persons can spot hoaxes spreading on social media based on choice of word, sentence arrangement, photos or videos used, target, motive and location.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

A pedestrian looks at antihoax campaign murals under the Rawa Buntu overpass in Serpong, South Tangerang, on Monday (11/3/2019).

Hoaxes or fake information can be easily recognized through several parameters. Eagle-eyed persons can spot fake information spreading on social media based on choice of word, sentence arrangement, photos or videos used, target, motive and location.

Covid-19-related hoaxes reached their peak in March-April 2020. In March, as the virus began to spread globally, 266 hoaxes were recorded on social media. Meanwhile, there were 209 hoaxes in April. In May and June, the number of circulating hoaxes decreased.

The decrease may have occurred as the National Police have named more suspects in related cases. Through 9,062 cyber patrol activities between 19 March and 19 May this year, the police have acted on 105 accounts, which include takedowns, as well as named 107 suspects (Kompas, 20/5/2020).

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Kompas R&D analysis in a report on 846 hoaxes published by the Communications and Information Ministry on 13 June 2020 found patterns and characteristics of hoaxes. Kompas R&D classified 16 patterns and major topics of hoaxes.

These patterns consistently appear as Covid-19 cases and mitigation efforts develop and the government issues relevant policies. The 16 themes are Covid-19 impact, Covid-19 infection, Covid-19 officials, Covid-19 mitigation, Covid-19 spread, Covid-19 patients, Covid-19 deaths, religious issues especially those surrounding Ramadan, Covid-19 medications, lockdown, large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and the mudik (exodus) ban, medical workers, Covid-19 causes, widespread panic, social aid and crimes related to Covid-19.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as instant messaging services such as WhatsApp and Line, are where hoaxes proliferate.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia has seen increased usage of social media, especially to find information related to the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, at the same time, hoaxes and misleading information remain widespread. Therefore, a collective movement is needed to nurture healthy social media for the public.

In line with Globalwebindex data published in January 2020, Indonesia has 160 million active social media users. They are part of the country’s 272.1 million population and 175.4 million internet users (Kompas, 11/6/2020).

YouTube is the most popular social media platform with 140.8 million users. Other popular platforms include WhatsApp (134.4 million users), Facebook (131.2 million), Instagram, (126.4 million), Twitter (89.6 million), Line (80 million), Facebook Messenger (80 million), LinkedIn (56 million), Pinterest (54.4 million) and WeChat (46.4 million).

Also read : Breaking the Chain of Covid-19 Hoaxes

A Press Council study in November 2019 showed that almost 70 percent of Indonesians relied on information from social media. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as instant messaging services such as WhatsApp and Line, are where hoaxes proliferate.

Kompas

The frequency of hoax cases per month. From January to 3 June 2020.

Characteristics of hoaxes

Kompas R&D’s content analysis research found several characteristics of hoaxes or fake information. First, the hoaxes’ diction or choice of words contains words that trigger unease, enmity or hatred among people exposed to them.

Words used in the narrative will trigger debate. Consequently, people exposed by these hoaxes or disinformation will be divided. If they are not mature enough in responding to such contents, it is not impossible that mutual hatred or hostility will emerge.

Examples include provocative titles and leading paragraphs that tend to be judgmental or even condemning by hiding certain facts or data. Popular phrases include “Breaking News”.

Such dictions are used to entice readers, but the source of information is often unclear. The hoax makers just wish for the information to be spread rapidly. The aim is for readers to be triggered by the title without even opening or reading the information in its entirety.

Also read : Misleading Information about Covid-19 Can Kill

Imperative words often used in hoaxes’ narrative include “share”, “distribute”, “like”, “spread” and words used to express “amazement”, such as “aneh” (strange), “heboh” (shocking), “wow” or “astaga” (amazing).

Furthermore, sharp words aiming to hurt others are also often used. Vulgar insults and a mocking tone are also often used for variation.

Sarcasm or hate speeches are often utilized by fanatical supporters of certain groups. The aim of such hoaxes is to take down opponents, especially in political issues related to Covid-19.

Second, sentences are often not structured properly. Hoax makers often rely on hyperbolic or bombastic phrases. Sentences and language patterns are commonly very vulgar or sarcastic.

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As hoaxes are often produced by people with lack of journalistic competence, the writing style is often far away from prevailing linguistic principles. Often times, these hoaxes are rife with slangs, mixtures of capital and small letters in sentences, abbreviation of words and grammatically wrong sentence arrangement.

An example of hoax with improper language and sentence structure that spread on 3 June 2020 is as follows. “Perhatian perhatian. Sekarang malesiya makin darurat. Buat TKI/TKW yg ada di malesiya. TERMAKSUD… Org tua kalin, pacar, saudara, atau tetanganya. Harap berhati-hati. Sekarang malesiya sapu habis penduduk asing” (“Attention attention. Now Malayisa is in an emergency situation. For migrant workers in Malaysia. INCLUDING… Your parents, girlfriends, relatives or neighbors. Please be careful. Malaysia is checking all foreigners”).

Third is the use of photos or videos. Sharp readers will be able to spot “discrepancies” between photos used in hoaxes and current conditions. For example: “Vladimir Putin Deploys 800 Tigers and Lions to Make People Stay at Home” (hoax circulating on 22/3/2020). On tracing, it is found that the photo is of a lion walking on a road in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 11 April 2016.

Fourth, hoax targets are varied. Public officials remain targets of hoaxes related to Covid-19 even today. For instance, on 3 June 2020, a video is circulated that shows college students protesting to demand President Joko Widodo’s resignation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Digital media literacy will therefore be important for human development.

Upon investigation, it was found that the video was part of the waves of student protests in regions across Indonesia in September 2019 ahead of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) bill’s approval into law and the inauguration of House of Representative members for the 2019-2024 term.

Fifth, the motive behind the spreading of hoaxes is to spread unease. During interrogation, several suspects in hoax cases said that they were just playing or joking around when making the hoaxes.

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However, even playing around can have consequence, as these hoax makers face charges in line with Law No. 19/2016 on electronic information and transactions (ITE Law) and Law No. 1/1946 on criminal code. They may face between two and 10 years’ imprisonment.

Sixth, locations mentioned in these hoaxes are highly varied. Locations often used in Covid-19 hoaxes include hospitals, malls, traditional markets, shops, offices, streets, tourism destinations, villages, cities or regencies and houses of worship. The point is to either to create unrest or to misleadingly state that these places are safe from Covid-19.

Hoaxes related to Covid-19 are here for now on social media platforms. Digital media literacy will therefore be important for human development.

The goal is to make people wiser in consuming and producing information in the digital world. As literacy level increases, it is hoped that a more civilized, polite and useful society will be created.

(KOMPAS R&D)