Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media, Law & Policy

COVID Misinformation and How to Stop It

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, By Lily Datz
Share
COVID 19MisinformationPublic Healthsocial mediaVaccine

The Surgeon General just released a toolkit to help people fight misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. It is geared specifically for people to talk about misinformation within their close circles of friends and family.

Headshot of Professor Jennifer Stromer-Galley

Jennifer Stromer-Galley

Social media researcher Jenny Stromer-Galley, professor at the iSchool at Syracuse University, can offer insight on the proliferation of misinformation and how to stop it. Prof. Stromer-Galley has been studying social media before it was called social media, and has embarked on a new research project on misinformation.

Here are her comments about the toolkit:

“The communication and information science research supports the approach the CDC is pushing – the greatest influencers are people in our network who we trust: parents, doctors, religious leaders, close friends,” said Stromer-Galley.

“When someone believes misinformation, it can be quite hard for that person to be corrected. Misinformation often aligns with our beliefs and worldviews – it fits our story of the world (which is why we end up believing it). And, if a friend comes along and says, in effect, “your beliefs are wrong,” that’s threatening. It causes the misinformed person to get defense and stop dialogue,” said Stromer-Galley.

“So, the guidance in the toolkit is a better approach – to not ‘fact check’ or try to discredit what someone believes, but instead to listen and to encourage that they seek counsel from people they trust, like their doctor. Sharing why you got vaccinated and what it means to you can help, if the person you’re talking to is open to the conversation. The best way to counter misinformation is to provide better stories that can ultimately replace the story that false information provided.”

“The guide itself definitely isn’t for the general public, though. Given that it’s a 22 page document, it’s not going to be something an ordinary person picks up and reads! But, for community leaders – doctors, pastors, teachers – this toolkit provides key resources and guidance on how to start the conversations with people who are unvaccinated to help slowly undo the toxic information environment we have been since the start of COVID. Because that’s how opinions and behavior changes – one conversation at a time,” said Stromer-Galley.

To schedule an interview, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, director of media relations at Syracuse University, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or 412-496-0551

  • Author
  • Faculty Experts

Lily Datz

  • Jennifer Stromer-Galley

  • Recent
  • Department of Drama Presents ‘Dance Nation’
    Friday, March 24, 2023, By Joanna Penalva
  • Three Faculty Members Collect Top National Awards and Grants
    Friday, March 24, 2023, By Dan Bernardi
  • Falk College Nutrition Science Students Examining Impact of Father’s Obesity on Children
    Friday, March 24, 2023, By Matt Michael
  • Student Veterans Spend Spring Break in Atlanta
    Friday, March 24, 2023, By Charlie Poag
  • Third Thonis Endowed Professorship Announced: The Multiplier Effect in Philanthropy
    Friday, March 24, 2023, By Eileen Korey

More In Media, Law & Policy

Veteran Journalist Judy Woodruff to Receive Fred Dressler Leadership Award at Newhouse School’s Mirror Awards Ceremony June 12

Veteran journalist Judy Woodruff, longtime anchor and managing editor of the “PBS NewsHour” and now a senior correspondent, will be honored with the Fred Dressler Leadership Award at the 17th annual Mirror Awards ceremony on June 12. The awards, sponsored…

Hall of Fame Sportscaster Bob Costas ’74 Reflects on Career, Baseball and His Love of Syracuse University on the ‘’Cuse Conversations’ Podcast

Bob Costas ’74 grew up idolizing New York Yankees’ Hall of Fame outfielder Mickey Mantle during the Golden Age of Major League Baseball, when New York City, with Mantle’s Yankees, Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers and Willie Mays’ New…

CNN’s Abby Phillip to Emcee Newhouse School’s Toner Prizes Celebration March 27 in Washington

Abby Phillip, CNN’s senior political correspondent and anchor of “Inside Politics Sunday,” will serve as master of ceremonies at the award ceremony for the Toner Prizes for Excellence in Political Reporting on Monday, March 27, in Washington, D.C. The Toner Prizes,…

Forever Orange Hometown Hero Robert L. Gang Jr. ’39, L’42 Passes Away at Age 104

Robert “Bob” L. Gang Jr. ’39, L’42 never let aging get in the way of living. When he was 78, he and his friend cut down 60 trees to build a log cabin. At age 80, he hiked 16 miles…

New Podcast Explores How Technology Has Dramatically Changed Storytelling

From news to fiction to film to photography to podcasts to social media and even the human voice, technological innovation has inspired and enabled new paradigms in storytelling. Last month, in partnership with Antica Productions and Trint and in association…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.