Harmful Speech and the COVID-19 Penumbra

There has been a disturbing rise in harmful speech during COVID-19. Many have shocked by the deluge of malign information, which disseminated widely and rapidly on account technological advancement, globalization, digital interconnectivity. But we should not surprised. The historical record reveals that pandemics inevitably lead to an increase false information hate speech. This paper makes two central claims. First, themes disinformation remained remarkably consistent across pandemics. We illustrate this through examination spread three prior current pandemic. COVID-19 is unique only ease with spread, amplified, reverberated over internet. Second, argue presents valuable opportunity tackle online disinformation. highlight promising avenues for combating emerged suggest further inquiry. In so doing, seek inspire discourse resilience. Technology both problem solution; emphasis effective measures at harms, can heed lessons past provide better future safer environment.