Assessing the credibility of COVID-19 vaccine mis/disinformation in online discussion

This study examines how the credibility of content mis- or disinformation, as well believability authors creating such information is assessed in online discussion. More specifically, investigation was focused on disinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. To this end, a sample 1887 messages posted to Reddit discussion group scrutinised by means qualitative analysis. The findings indicate that assessment author’s credibility, most important criteria are his her reputation, expertise and honesty argumentation. In judgement mis/disinformation, objectivity plausibility arguments highly important. highlight qualities poor incompetency dishonesty particularly significant because they trigger expectancies created author judged.