Infodemic toolkit to fight disinformation on COVID-19 launched by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, 18 September 2020 - The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) launches an infodemic toolkit for media professionals to counter myths and fake information related to COVID-19. It is available in Uzbek, Russian and English.

The toolkit was developed in co-operation with the Public Fund for the Support and Development of National Mass Media and the Radio Nederland Training Centre. The toolkit assists journalists and bloggers in Uzbekistan covering the COVID-19 crisis by providing them with the tools to identify and counter false information and report correctly on the pandemic.

As a result of the widespread COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an enormous international push for scientific information and understanding of the novel coronavirus. At the same time, there has been an increase in inaccurate and fake news spread on social media networks and in the media. This alarming and dangerous trend creates fear and has a damaging effect on public health efforts.

The Infodemic toolkit offers five units containing videos, links and resources that help journalists to identify and misinformation and to better communicate with their audience. The toolkit’s “Debunkers Database” enables media professionals to share exposed fake news. 

The PCUz hopes that by using the information and resources available in the toolkit, media representatives in Uzbekistan will be able to use factual and accurate information concerning COVID-19, and assist in preventing the further spread of disinformation.