Document (#43406)

Author

Lor, P.
Wiles, B.
Britz, J.

Title

Re-thinking information ethics : truth, conspiracy theories, and librarians in the COVID-19 era

Source

Libri. 71(2021) no.1, S.1-14

Year

2021

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is an international public health crisis without precedent in the last century. The novelty and rapid spread of the virus have added a new urgency to the availability and distribution of reliable information to help curb its fatal potential. As seasoned and trusted purveyors of reliable public information, librarians have attempted to respond to the "infodemic" of fake news, disinformation, and propaganda with a variety of strategies, but the COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique challenge because of the deadly stakes involved. The seriousness of the current situation requires that librarians and associated professionals re-evaluate the ethical basis of their approach to information provision to counter the growing prominence of conspiracy theories in the public sphere and official decision making. This paper analyzes the conspiracy mindset and specific COVID-19 conspiracy theories in discussing how libraries might address the problems of truth and untruth in ethically sound ways. As a contribution to the re-evaluation we propose, the paper presents an ethical framework based on alethic rights-or rights to truth-as conceived by Italian philosopher Franca D'Agostini and how these might inform professional approaches that support personal safety, open knowledge, and social justice.

Content

Vgl.: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/libri-2020-0158/html.

Footnote

Vgl. auch: Froehlich, T.: Some thoughts evoked by Peter Lor, Bradley Wiles, and Johannes Britz, "Re-thinking information ethics: truth, conspiracy theories, and librarians in the COVID-19 era in: Libri. 71(2021) no.3, S.219-225.

Theme

Informationsethik

Object

COVID-19

Similar documents (content)

1. Shahbazi, M.; Bunker, D.; Sorrell, T.C.: Communicating shared situational awareness in times of chaos : social media and the COVID-19 pandemic (2023) 0.19

   0.18801965 = sum of:
     0.18801965 = product of:
       0.9400982 = sum of:
         0.013832465 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 1054) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.013832465 = score(doc=1054,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.045709282 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1673274 = boost
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.3026183 = fieldWeight in 1054, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=1054)
         0.06197388 = weight(abstract_txt:public in 1054) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.06197388 = score(doc=1054,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.12422543 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.6665807 = boost
               4.6084785 = idf(docFreq=1197, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.4988824 = fieldWeight in 1054, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               4.6084785 = idf(docFreq=1197, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=1054)
         0.2354027 = weight(abstract_txt:pandemic in 1054) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.2354027 = score(doc=1054,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.30242127 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.1231546 = boost
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.7783933 = fieldWeight in 1054, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=1054)
         0.14690562 = weight(abstract_txt:truth in 1054) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.14690562 = score(doc=1054,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.3185205 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.6686387 = boost
               7.3793993 = idf(docFreq=74, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.46121246 = fieldWeight in 1054, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               7.3793993 = idf(docFreq=74, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=1054)
         0.48198354 = weight(abstract_txt:covid in 1054) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.48198354 = score(doc=1054,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.53670925 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.0 = boost
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.89803475 = fieldWeight in 1054, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=1054)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)
   

2. Thelwall, M.; Thelwall, S.: ¬A thematic analysis of highly retweeted early COVID-19 tweets : consensus, information, dissent and lockdown life (2020) 0.13

   0.13395628 = sum of:
     0.13395628 = product of:
       0.83722675 = sum of:
         0.07425677 = weight(abstract_txt:safety in 178) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07425677 = score(doc=178,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14013998 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0219779 = boost
               8.478011 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.5298757 = fieldWeight in 178, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.478011 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=178)
         0.00978103 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 178) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.00978103 = score(doc=178,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.045709282 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1673274 = boost
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.21398345 = fieldWeight in 178, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=178)
         0.07156128 = weight(abstract_txt:public in 178) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07156128 = score(doc=178,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.12422543 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.6665807 = boost
               4.6084785 = idf(docFreq=1197, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.5760598 = fieldWeight in 178, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               4.6084785 = idf(docFreq=1197, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=178)
         0.6816277 = weight(abstract_txt:covid in 178) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.6816277 = score(doc=178,freq=6.0), product of:
             0.53670925 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.0 = boost
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             1.270013 = fieldWeight in 178, product of:
               2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                 6.0 = termFreq=6.0
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=178)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

3. Wang, X.; Zhang, M.; Fan, W.; Zhao, K.: Understanding the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on social media : the effects of topics and a political leader's nudge (2022) 0.13

   0.1271385 = sum of:
     0.1271385 = product of:
       0.7946156 = sum of:
         0.012226287 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 549) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.012226287 = score(doc=549,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.045709282 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1673274 = boost
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.2674793 = fieldWeight in 549, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=549)
         0.08239842 = weight(abstract_txt:theories in 549) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.08239842 = score(doc=549,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.18668856 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.0430543 = boost
               5.649515 = idf(docFreq=422, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.44136837 = fieldWeight in 549, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.649515 = idf(docFreq=422, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=549)
         0.20806856 = weight(abstract_txt:pandemic in 549) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.20806856 = score(doc=549,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.30242127 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.1231546 = boost
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.688009 = fieldWeight in 549, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=549)
         0.49192238 = weight(abstract_txt:covid in 549) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.49192238 = score(doc=549,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.53670925 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.0 = boost
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.91655284 = fieldWeight in 549, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=549)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

4. Zheng, H.; Goh, D.H.-L.; Lee, E.W.J.; Lee, C.S.; Theng, Y.-L.: Understanding the effects of message cues on COVID-19 information sharing on Twitter (2022) 0.11

   0.114556976 = sum of:
     0.114556976 = product of:
       0.7159811 = sum of:
         0.01694124 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 564) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.01694124 = score(doc=564,freq=6.0), product of:
             0.045709282 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1673274 = boost
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.3706302 = fieldWeight in 564, product of:
               2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                 6.0 = termFreq=6.0
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=564)
         0.050601464 = weight(abstract_txt:public in 564) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.050601464 = score(doc=564,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.12422543 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.6665807 = boost
               4.6084785 = idf(docFreq=1197, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.4073358 = fieldWeight in 564, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               4.6084785 = idf(docFreq=1197, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=564)
         0.16645485 = weight(abstract_txt:pandemic in 564) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.16645485 = score(doc=564,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.30242127 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.1231546 = boost
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.55040723 = fieldWeight in 564, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=564)
         0.48198354 = weight(abstract_txt:covid in 564) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.48198354 = score(doc=564,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.53670925 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.0 = boost
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.89803475 = fieldWeight in 564, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=564)
       0.16 = coord(4/25)
   

5. Oliphant, T.: Emerging (information) realities and epistemic injustice (2021) 0.11

   0.11391168 = sum of:
     0.11391168 = product of:
       0.5695584 = sum of:
         0.019384593 = weight(abstract_txt:presents in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.019384593 = score(doc=358,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.07211946 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.036816 = boost
               4.300552 = idf(docFreq=1629, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.2687845 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.300552 = idf(docFreq=1629, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
         0.08850436 = weight(abstract_txt:disinformation in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.08850436 = score(doc=358,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.15753648 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0835551 = boost
               8.988837 = idf(docFreq=14, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.5618023 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.988837 = idf(docFreq=14, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
         0.01694124 = weight(abstract_txt:information in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.01694124 = score(doc=358,freq=6.0), product of:
             0.045709282 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.1673274 = boost
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.3706302 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
               2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
                 6.0 = termFreq=6.0
               2.4209464 = idf(docFreq=10677, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
         0.16645485 = weight(abstract_txt:pandemic in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.16645485 = score(doc=358,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.30242127 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.1231546 = boost
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.55040723 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.806516 = idf(docFreq=17, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
         0.27827334 = weight(abstract_txt:covid in 358) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.27827334 = score(doc=358,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.53670925 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.0 = boost
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01617434 = queryNorm
             0.5184806 = fieldWeight in 358, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.29569 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=358)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)