Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Censored Contagion II
A Timeline of Information Control on Chinese Social Media During COVID-19
August 25, 2020
...
Conclusion
The censored content we collected from Chinese social media invites unique reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrates the harms of information control.
Throughout the pandemic, information on COVID-19 has been tightly controlled on Chinese social media even after China managed to keep the spread of the virus under control at later stages. The themes of censored content show areas of sensitivity for the Chinese government from how the virus is contained in China, international diplomacy, and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China. Outside of this political content, we also found censorship of health-related information, including the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as references to personal protective equipment supplies and medical facilities. Censorship of this type of health-related information can hinder disease prevention and awareness.For example, if messages on future waves of COVID-19 infections in China are censored on WeChat, the public could be put at risk.
Censorship of COVID-19 on Chinese social media illustrates the ongoing politicization of the pandemic and the importance of fact-based, open, and effective communications pertaining to public health awareness and response.
https://citizenlab.ca/2020/08/censo...trol-on-chinese-social-media-during-covid-19/
A Timeline of Information Control on Chinese Social Media During COVID-19
August 25, 2020
...
Conclusion
The censored content we collected from Chinese social media invites unique reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrates the harms of information control.
Throughout the pandemic, information on COVID-19 has been tightly controlled on Chinese social media even after China managed to keep the spread of the virus under control at later stages. The themes of censored content show areas of sensitivity for the Chinese government from how the virus is contained in China, international diplomacy, and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China. Outside of this political content, we also found censorship of health-related information, including the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as references to personal protective equipment supplies and medical facilities. Censorship of this type of health-related information can hinder disease prevention and awareness.For example, if messages on future waves of COVID-19 infections in China are censored on WeChat, the public could be put at risk.
Censorship of COVID-19 on Chinese social media illustrates the ongoing politicization of the pandemic and the importance of fact-based, open, and effective communications pertaining to public health awareness and response.
https://citizenlab.ca/2020/08/censo...trol-on-chinese-social-media-during-covid-19/