FAKE NEWS: In a time when finding out accurate information is difficult and what is known about the coronavirus pandemic is said to change on a regular basis, fake news is a significant concern.

According to a study completed by PRPioneer.com, of the 2,400 adults over the age of 18 in the U.S., 44% say they are confused by official advice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, that number increases slightly when you consider Pennsylvania data: 47% of adults surveyed in PA feel confused and misled.

In some countries, it is actually a criminal offence to spread incorrect information about COVID-19, given the seriousness of the pandemic. In an effort to counteract the spread of misinformation surrounding Coronavirus, Facebook and Instagram recently launched* a new feature which warns users about posts containing incorrect information by flagging them. Instead, users are directed to factual, authoritative health resources provided by the World Health Organization.

Broken down across the U.S., it emerged that South Carolinians are most fearful of Coronavirus fake news with 81% of respondents saying they are concerned about this. Comparatively, Utahns were least worried with just 32% saying this was the case.

Despite the fact the internet is composed of large quantities of user-generated content, it seems most rely on this platform for trustworthy information. 45% of people say online is the media source they trust the most, followed by television (41%). 8% said they trust social media the most, 4% said word of mouth and 2% said it was radio news sources.

When there are so many different platforms to access resources regarding Covid-19, it can get overwhelming, causing anxiety and stress in everyday life as people are constantly absorbing information. Over 1 in 3 respondents (37%) say they are experiencing news fatigue regarding Coronavirus, suggesting a large proportion are overwhelmed with the large majority of media covering the topic at the moment.