Communication and Misinformation

Exploring the influence misinformation has on public perceptions of the risk and severity of crisis events

To what extent can social media networks reduce risks to the public during times of crisis?
How do theoretical frameworks help researchers understand the spread of misinformation?
Which research tools can identify and track misinformation about crisis events on social media?
What approaches may persuade those resistant to changing their perceptions of crisis events?

Communication and Misinformation presents cutting-edge research on the development, spread, and impact of online misinformation during crisis events. Edited by a leading scholar in the field, this timely and authoritative volume brings together a team of expert contributors to explore the both the practical aspects and research implications of the public’s reliance on social media to obtain information in times of crisis.

Throughout the book, detailed chapters examine the increasingly critical role of risk and health communication, underscore the importance of identifying and analyzing the dissemination and impact of misinformation, provide strategies for correcting misinformation with science-based explanations for causes of crisis events, and more.

Addressing multiple contexts and perspectives, including political communication, reputational management, and social network theory, Communication and Misinformation: Crisis Events in the Age of Social Media is an essential resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, instructors, scholars, and public- and private-sector professionals in risk and crisis communication, strategic communication, public relations, and media studies.

KEVIN B. WRIGHT is a Professor of Communication at George Mason University, where he teaches classes on health communication, crisis communication, and social media. With more than 20 years of experience as a communication scholar, Dr. Wright is the author of 8 books, 115 scholarly journal articles and book chapters, and 120 papers presented at national and international conferences.