Conspiracy theories cost societies dear

Significance

The aim of the pilot programme will be to accelerate the identification of misinformation. Deliberate disinformation campaigns have already affected elections and politics, but falsehoods online are also affecting public health -- measles cases this year globally are the highest in over a decade -- and climate change, where misinformation has successfully sown doubt about the facts, delaying global action.

Impacts

• Getting more doctors online could combat misinformation from unqualified individuals.
• Antibiotic resistance may become another area where misinformation may obstruct corrective action.
• Climate change activists may be targeted in misinformation campaigns.