Contextualizing COVID-19 related misinformation and disinformation: an intersectional approach to the infodemic

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b2486522_(Table of contents)

This thesis makes a multi-layered cultural analysis on media content featuring misinformation and disinformation through an intersectional gaze. In the context of the "Infodemic" following COVID-19 pandemic, the aim of this thesis is to focus on issues of racism, sexism, classism and ageism through a nuanced take on viral phenomena such as relevant offensive memes and Twitter posts. Issues imbued with online falsehoods such as misinformation and disinformation emerging in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and an alarming increase of Sinophobia is contextualized in the framework of intersectional inquiries. Specifically, this thesis explores the connection between promoters of online falsehoods who exploit a disease-weary public to market emotions and the increasing level of racist, sexist online performances. To achieve such exploration, tracing over viral phenomena of the "Corona-chan" and "George Floyd Challenge" becomes central to this analysis. Drawing on theories of intersectional work, this thesis intermingles the concepts of online falsehoods in light of the current literal viral predicament of the coronavirus with the digital viral predicament of the spread of misinformation and disinformation. Therefore, an outtake on the increasing anti-Chinese sentimentality is studied through qualitative analysis in the context of a digital creation, surrounded in particular formation of misinformation and disinformation relevant to the myths and half-truths of the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, issues of global importance is established in juxtaposition to the interference or online extortion of one’s identity through media discourses.