scholarly journals Fake News on the Covid-19 outbreak: a new metadata-based dataset for the analysis of Brazilian and British Twitter posts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuany Mariah Lima do Nascimento ◽  
Laura Emmanuella Alves dos Santos Santana ◽  
Márjory Da Costa Abreu

The dissemination of fake news is a problem that has already been addressed but by no means is solved. After the manipulation made by Cambridge Analytica which was based on classifying users by their political views and targeting specific political propaganda on the Brexit campaign, the Trump election and the Bolsonaro election, there is no doubt this issue can have a real impact on society in ‘normal times’. During a pandemic, any type of fake news can be the difference between life and death when the data shared can directly hurt the people who are believing in it. Moreover, there is also a new trend of using artificial robots to disseminate such news with a special target on Twitter which can be linked with political campaigns. Thus, it is essential that we identify and understand what kind of news is selected to be 'dressed' as fake and how it is disseminated. This paper aims to investigate the dissemination of fake news related with Covid-19 in the UK and Brazil in order to understand the impact of fake news on public sector actions, social isolation and quarantine imposition. Those two case studies are well versed on the fake news dissemination. Our initial dataset of Twitter posts have focused on posts from four different cities (Natal, São Paulo, Sheffield and London) and have shown interesting pointers that will be discussed.

2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-214770
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Richardson ◽  
Martin Taulbut ◽  
Mark Robinson ◽  
Andrew Pulford ◽  
Gerry McCartney

BackgroundLife expectancy (LE) improvements have stalled, and UK tax and welfare ‘reforms’ have been proposed as a cause. We estimated the effects of tax and welfare reforms from 2010/2011 to 2021/2022 on LE and inequalities in LE in Scotland.MethodsWe applied a published estimate of the cumulative income impact of the reforms to the households within Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles. We estimated the impact on LE by applying a rate ratio for the impact of income on mortality rates (by age group, sex and SIMD quintile) and calculating the difference between inflation-only changes in benefits and the reforms.ResultsWe estimated that changes to household income resulting from the reforms would result in an additional 1041 (+3.7%) female deaths and 1013 (+3.8%) male deaths. These deaths represent an estimated reduction of female LE from 81.6 years to 81.2 years (−20 weeks), and male LE from 77.6 years to 77.2 years (−23 weeks). Cuts to benefits and tax credits were modelled to have the most detrimental impact on LE, and these were estimated to be most severe in the most deprived areas. The modelled impact on inequalities in LE was widening of the gap between the most and least deprived 20% of areas by a further 21 weeks for females and 23 weeks for males.InterpretationThis study provides further evidence that austerity, in the form of cuts to social security benefits, is likely to be an important cause of stalled LE across the UK.


2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 880-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate L Mandeville ◽  
Rose-Marie Satherley ◽  
Jennifer A Hall ◽  
Shailen Sutaria ◽  
Chris Willott ◽  
...  

BackgroundLittle is known about the political views of doctors in the UK despite doctors' importance in the functioning of the National Health Service (NHS).MethodsThis is a survey-based, cross-sectional study in which we asked questions about voting behaviour in 2015 and 2017 UK general elections and 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union (EU) (Brexit), and questions relating to recent health policies.Results1172 doctors (45.1% women) from 1295 responded to an online survey. 60.5% described their political views as ‘left-wing’ and 62.2% described themselves as ‘liberal’. 79.4% of respondents voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum compared with 48.1% of voters as a whole (χ2=819.8, p<0.001). 98.6% of respondents agreed that EU nationals working in the NHS should be able to remain in the UK after Brexit. The median score for the impact of Brexit on the NHS on a scale of 0 (worst impact) to 10 (best impact) was 2 (IQR=1–4). Most respondents agreed with the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing in the UK (73.9%), charging patients who are not eligible for NHS treatment for non-urgent care (70.6%) and protecting a portion of national spending for the NHS (87.1%). 65.8% thought there was too much use of NHS-funded private sector provision in their medical practice. Specialty, income and grade were associated with divergent opinions.ConclusionsUK doctors are left-leaning and liberal in general, which is reflected in their opinions on topical health policy issues. Doctors in the UK voted differently from the general electorate in recent polls.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-235
Author(s):  
St. Rahmawati Hamzah ◽  
Hamzah B

Abstrak: Kasus stunting di Indonesia masih tergolong tinggi dengan menyentuh angka 30,8%. Angka ini masih jauh dari standar WHO yaitu 20%. Angka prevalensi stunting di Sulawesi Utara sebesar 25,5%, meskipun angka stunting Sulawesi Utara di bawah angka nasional (30,8%) namun masih ada empat daerah dengan angka prevalensi stunting yang cukup tinggi termasuk kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow sebesar 30,6%. Tujuan pengabdian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat Desa Muntoi Kecamatan Passi Barat Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow tentang pencegahan stunting. Metode yang digunakan adalah ceramah interaktif dan tanya jawab. Hasil penyuluhan menunjukkan bahwa rata-rata skor pengetahuan masyarakat tentang stunting pada saat pre-test adalah 10,43 dan pada saat post-test meningkat menjadi 19,60. Dampak pengabdian ini adalah meningkatnya pengetahuan masyarakat tentang pencegahan stunting dengan perbedaan nilai rata-rata skor pengetahuan peserta penyuluhan pada saat pre-test dan post-test dengan angka 9,17. Untuk itu disarankan kepada masyarakat khususnya pada ibu untuk melakukan pencegahan stunting dengan pemenuhan asupan gizi selama hamil, melahirkan dan anak sebelum usia 2 tahun.Abstract: Stunting cases in Indonesia are still high, touching 30.8%. This figure is still far from the WHO standard of 20%. The stunting prevalence rate in North Sulawesi is 25.5%, although North Sulawesi's stunting rate is below the national rate (30.8%), there are still four regions with a fairly high stunting prevalence rate including Bolaang Mongondow district of 30.6%. The purpose of this service is to increase the knowledge of the people of Muntoi Village, Passi Barat District, Bolaang Mongondow Regency about the prevention of stunting. The methods used are interactive lectures and question and answer. The results showed that the average score of public knowledge about stunting at the pre-test was 10.43 and at the time of the post-test it increased to 19.60. The impact of this service is an increase in public knowledge about stunting prevention with the difference in the mean score of knowledge of the extension participants during the pre-test and post-test with a figure of 9.17. For this reason, it is recommended to the public, especially mothers, to prevent stunting by fulfilling nutritional intake during pregnancy, childbirth and children before the age of 2 years.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-530
Author(s):  
Paul Bernal

The current ‘fake news’ phenomenon is a modern manifestation of something that has existed throughout history. The difference between what happens now and what has happened before is driven by the nature of the internet and social media – and Facebook in particular. Three key strands of Facebook’s business model – invading privacy to profile individuals, analysing mass data to profile groups, then algorithmically curating content and targeting individuals and groups for advertising – create a perfect environment for fake news. Proposals to ‘deal’ with fake news either focus on symptoms or embed us further in the algorithms that create the problem. Whilst we embrace social media, particularly as a route to news, there is little that can be done to reduce the impact of fake news and misinformation. The question is whether the benefits to freedom of expression that social media brings mean that this is a price worth paying.


2022 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
جيران ، حمد علي هارب

This research discusses the significance of the underlying and corresponding (B) in the verse of ablution .It consists of a preface , four chapters and a termination .Within the limits of the preface , it dealt with the clarification of the importance of the research .In the first chapter , it dealt with the definition of the underlying significance according to the jurists point of view , also the scientists, point of view who support the underlying significance and the people who agree with them , as well as the aspects of the Hanafia’s and the shafia's inference regarding the implication.   The research also deals with the definition of the corresponding significance according to the jurists' point of view as well as the scientists' point of view who support the correspondence of the (B) significance .These people are the Malikia and the Hanablah and the people who agree with them as well as the aspects of their inference in this issue .The third chapter tackles the more acceptable significance of the two discussed in the former chapters .The final one clarifies the impact of the difference between the underlying and the corresponding (B) according to the jurists' point of view .Finally the research is concluded by the most important deductions.


Author(s):  
Amira Elnokaly ◽  
Benjamin A.J. Martin

Purpose – In October 2011 the Government brought in measures to reduce the revenue provided by the Feed in Tariff (FIT) system. This change came under a lot of opposition due to the potential affects that it would have upon the industry. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential benefits of the FIT and the impact that the Governments Comprehensive Spending Review had upon the industry and its uptake by the householders. Design/methodology/approach – For the study and to calculate the benefits of the FIT, a predictive modelling tool was built that could calculate the potential income and savings for a household. A photovoltaic (PV) installation was then monitored for over a year and the results of the predictive modelling tool were compared to actual results produced from the system to show how accurate the modelling tool was. The impacts of the Governments comprehensive spending review and the potential impacts in the industry were then calculated and discussed. Findings – The FIT is still a good incentive for people investing in PV. However, the reduction in the FIT may impact the “Rent a Roof” system and this in turn will impact most heavily on lower income families. The research also concluded that the changes in the political agenda have had a major impact on the FIT for both the industry and the community. Thus, the solar FITs will continue to be an attractive incentive in place to pay for heating through renewable means and thus ensuring reducing the own carbon footprint. Concomitantly, well-developed ownership schemes need to be put in place. Originality/value – The reduction in the FIT was the right move by the Government as it should prevent the increase in energy bill prices which will affect the people without PV at this point in time. It also has been set so that it is still generous enough to encourage the industry and stimulate installation as there is still profit but not in a way that should put people off. The UK may just have to take time to realise that the FITs are still a good deal after the very generous tariff that preceded them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-530
Author(s):  
Paul Bernal

The current ‘fake news’ phenomenon is a modern manifestation of something that has existed throughout history. The difference between what happens now and what has happened before is driven by the nature of the internet and social media – and Facebook in particular. Three key strands of Facebook’s business model – invading privacy to profile individuals, analysing mass data to profile groups, then algorithmically curating content and targeting individuals and groups for advertising – create a perfect environment for fake news. Proposals to ‘deal’ with fake news either focus on symptoms or embed us further in the algorithms that create the problem. Whilst we embrace social media, particularly as a route to news, there is little that can be done to reduce the impact of fake news and misinformation. The question is whether the benefits to freedom of expression that social media brings mean that this is a price worth paying.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 737-737
Author(s):  
Nicola Palmarini ◽  
Lesley Hall ◽  
Alex Mitchell ◽  
James McNaughton ◽  
Charlotte Nixon

Abstract The impact of COVID-19 on older adults has been analysed through different research approaches. However, with its sudden global spread, combined with uncertainty about which countermeasures would be employed, there was a lack of opportunity to systematically and continuously engage in a system of observing the moods of older adults forced to live in unexpected conditions. Ageist narratives, social distancing, the unending barrage of real and fake news, and the lockdowns, have given rise to what we define as a series of “seasons” of life, characterised not by the weather barometer, but by moods of people. How much did these external events, like the impact of weather, affect the mood of older adults? We immediately recognised the pandemic’s long-term nature, and thanks to our position as an "observatory" of social dynamics, and because of our existing community of older adults (VOICE), we could involve our members to provide valuable insights about mood and wellbeing during the pandemic. We initiated a weekly pulse survey, based on the two same questions, starting in week 13 of 2020. Across the 50 weeks which followed, we received 2577 responses. They rated their mood on a scale of 1 (extra-stormy) to 5 (all sunshine), before we collated the data and mapped on key events related to media announcements and political decisions. Our research showed the impact of these events on the mood of participants, and the potential of this approach to identify trends in mood to help policy makers with informed decision-making during unprecedented times.


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 601-613
Author(s):  
Anubhav Mishra ◽  
Sridhar Samu

Purpose This paper aims to examine how content relevancy influences consumers’ preference to receive and share fake news. Further, it investigates how these receivers perceive the social image of the people who share fake news. Finally, this study examines how brand strength and valence and credibility of fake content influence consumer’s word-of-mouth recommendations, purchase intentions and attitude toward the brand. Design/methodology/approach Three experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses. The data was analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and PROCESS techniques. Findings Findings indicate that people prefer to receive and share relevant content, even if it is fake. Sharing fake news conveys the sender’s sociability but also creates a negative perception of narcissism. Individuals are more likely to recommend a brand if the fake news is perceived as credible and positive (vs negative). Finally, brand-strength can help brands to negate the harmful effects of fake news. Research limitations/implications Future research can explore the role of group dynamics, tie-strength and media richness (text, image and videos) in the dispersion of fake news and its impact on brands. Practical implications Marketers should communicate and educate consumers that sharing fake content can harm their social image, which can reduce information dispersion. Marketers should also improve brand-strength that can protect the brand against the adverse impact of fake news. Originality/value This study contributes to the emerging literature on fake news by studying the impact of fake news on consumer intentions and attitudes toward the brand, which are critical for the success of any brand.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Pelkiewicz ◽  
S. W. Ahmed ◽  
P. Fulcher ◽  
K. L. Johnson ◽  
S. M. Reynolds ◽  
...  

Abstract For life insurers in the United Kingdom (UK), the risk margin is one of the most controversial aspects of the Solvency II regime which came into force in 2016. The risk margin is the difference between the technical provisions and the best estimate liabilities. The technical provisions are intended to be market-consistent, and so are defined as the amount required to be paid to transfer the business to another undertaking. In practice, the technical provisions cannot be directly calculated, and so the risk margin must be determined using a proxy method; the method chosen for Solvency II is known as the cost-of-capital method. Following the implementation of Solvency II, the risk margin came under considerable criticism for being too large and too sensitive to interest rate movements. These criticisms are particularly valid for annuity business in the UK – such business is of great significance to the system for retirement provision. A further criticism is that mitigation of the impact of the risk margin has led to an increase in reinsurance of longevity risks, particularly to overseas reinsurers. This criticism has led to political interest, and the risk margin was a major element of the Treasury Committee inquiry into EU Insurance Regulation. The working party was set up in response to this criticism. Our brief is to consider both the overall purpose of the risk margin for life insurers and solutions to the current problems, having regard to the possibility of post-Brexit flexibility. We have concluded that a risk margin in some form is necessary, although its size depends on the level of security desired, and so is primarily a political question. We have reviewed possible alternatives to the current risk margin, both within the existing cost-of-capital methodology and considering a wide range of alternatives. We believe that requirements for the risk margin will depend on future circumstances, in particular relating to Brexit, and we have identified a number of possible changes to methodology which should be considered, depending on circumstances.


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