Investigating the impact of fake news on readers’ narratives during the covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia: A phenomenological approach

Ndumari, Kevin Komora (2024) Investigating the impact of fake news on readers’ narratives during the covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia: A phenomenological approach. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

Misinformation, fear, and anxiety can often lead to emotional and irrational responses during times of crises thus rendering the public to vulnerably engage in implausible conspiracies. This compels the public to give credence to simplistic and unscientific misinterpretations and misconceptions about the origin and remedies of such crises. With a special focus on Malaysia, this paper explores the significant influence of unethical reporting in shaping the audiences’ perception during the Covid-19 pandemic between 2019 to 2022. Through extensive qualitative analysis that draws upon insights from media ethics and crisis management, this study will examine real-time case studies and empirical evidence across Malaysia to demonstrate how misinformation through fake news altered the public belief and decision making. Data will be collected from medical practitioners, scientific papers and reader and comparison with the popular public narrative at the pandemic time. This will form a key basis in the study to analyse the reporting and its impact on the readers perception. This study will also delve into the motivations driving the sharing of online fake news during the unparalleled COVID-19 pandemic. Through a qualitative approach the study aims to suggest a tentative guide for truthful and objective crisis reporting and during pandemics by ensuring the sanctity of facts and observing ethical and integrity standards.

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