27 May 2020 – Just as fast as rumours spread, WHO, UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme have collaborated with the Ministry of Information to create a platform that collects and posts fake news, misinformation and rumours circulating in the country under the title "Sa7e7 el Ma3loumeh" (check your facts). Several short animated infographics were produced and disseminated on social media.
Every pandemic is a serious health matter, and becomes even more so when people out of fear turn to anything that they read or hear for reassurance. Identifying the source of information can prove its authenticity but fraudsters have gone that extra mile to even fake news in the name of organizations like WHO prompting the Organization to counter and correct health-related information.
As Lebanon is a relatively small country, rumours spread quickly so reaction to fake news or misinformation must be swift. Meanwhile,WHO, UNICFE, UNDP and the Ministry of Information are working relentlessly to develop a page that will be linked to the National News Agency’s website. The page will be monitored daily and every inquiry will be answered within 24 hours.
A team of 4 journalist from the National News Agency will be given a workshop on fact-checking tools with training focused on how to detect and identify fact news, how to use tools to expose fake news and how to write clear and simple fact-checked news. Another group of about 10 field reporters will be given shorter training on how to detect and identify rumours gathered from the local areas they cover.
Some of the most common questions the public asked were answered in a short video which dealth with the effect of the weather on the virus, the use of chlorine and the decrease in the number of cases in Lebanon. The most common questions were:
- Can we get rid of the virus if we spray our cloths and body with alcohol or bleach?
- Will injecting or drinking chlorine cure a patient from COVID-19?
- Now that the sun is back, will the virus stop during summer?
- Is it true that the coronavirus can live up to 12 hours on surfaces?
- Does the decrease in the number of positive coronavirus cases in Lebanon mean that there is no more danger and we have gotten rid of the virus?
