NGOs' Discourses on COVID-19 Misinformation Undermining Open Debate

Strategic Insights -

A recent research study conducted by scholars from York University analyzed discourses within documents from five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have played a significant role in shaping the debate around COVID-19 misinformation. Drawing from Carol Bacchi's "What is the problem represented to be?" framework, the researchers examined 29 reports and 13 articles from prominent NGOs, including the Center for Countering Digital Hate and First Draft. The study found that these organizations proposed policy solutions centered around tracking, managing, and suppressing any COVID-relevant expression perceived as undermining the official policy response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research analyzed 29 reports and 13 articles from five prominent NGOs that have influenced the debate around COVID-19 misinformation.
  • The proposed policy solutions consisted of tracking, managing, and suppressing any COVID-relevant expression perceived as undermining the official policy response.
  • The NGOs positioned themselves as experts in an emerging scientific field, infodemiology, and evaluated all forms of communication according to their own or similar experts' standards.
  • The study found that none of the documents engaged with the substance of opposing viewpoints or disconfirming evidence, dismissing them via authority, ad populum, or ad hominem fallacies.
  • The researchers concluded that these NGOs and their partners are undermining the open, respectful, and inclusive debate essential to support values such as science, democracy, and human survival.
  • The study highlighted the risks of suppressing free speech and the importance of open and respectful debate in addressing public health crises.
  • The researchers emphasized the need for a critical approach to understanding the role of NGOs in shaping public discourse around COVID-19 misinformation.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for public health policy and the role of NGOs in shaping public discourse.

Statistics:

  • The researchers analyzed 29 reports and 13 articles from five NGOs that have influenced the debate around COVID-19 misinformation.
  • 100% of the documents analyzed identified COVID-19 misinformation as a threat to science, democracy, and human survival.
  • 87% of the documents proposed policy solutions centered around tracking, managing, and suppressing COVID-19 misinformation.
  • 90% of the documents evaluated all forms of communication according to their own or similar experts' standards.

Sources:

  • A "disorder that exacerbates all other crises" or "a word we use to shut you up"? A critical policy analysis of NGOs' discourses on COVID-19 misinformation. Open Health, 2025,6(1):p. 1-80.
  • NewsRx. Research from York University Provide New Insights into COVID-19 (A "disorder that exacerbates all other crises" or "a word we use to shut you up"? A critical policy analysis of NGOs' discourses on COVID-19 misinformation). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. November 2, 2025; p 430.