Fake news in the coronavirus pandemic

The World Health Organisation says the coronavirus pandemic has been accompanied by an over-abundance of information – an 'infodemic' – and not all of it is accurate.

For health advice and guidance, please always refer to the official UK Government and the NHS websites.

The spreading of fake news, sadly, is not a new phenomenon. Find out more about the 'post-truth' era and how science centres can play a role in battling fake news in this magazine article by Life's Chief Executive, Linda Conlon.

Fact or fiction?

• The independent fact checking organisation Full Fact has a page dedicated to its work on coronavirus, with a section specifically on COVID-19 vaccines, debunking a lot of fake news that is spreading on social media.
• Learn how misinformation works from the inside in the online game Go Viral!, in which players are encouraged to spread fake news for social media likes.
• BBC Reality Check is regularly debunking coronavirus myths. Check out its YouTube videos:
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