Disclosure of information at the crossroads of the COVID-19 crisis in Paraguay

Reactions and transmission of false and scientific data through social networks and the mass media

Abstract

Since the end of 2019, with the emergence of the global crisis generated by the SARS-CoV-2, the percentage of global production and consumption of news and information on the subject has risen considerably, monopolizing most of the space in the mass media. Therefore, taking into account the importance of the information that is produced, emitted and consumed in a country, subsequently generating different types of reactions in a society; in this article, the general objective was to carry out a reflective analysis of the situation that occurred during the first month of confinement in Paraguay within the framework of the publication of information regarding the global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The specific objectives were focused on the analysis of the circulation of false news and erroneous interpretations and the neurosis generated as a result; search and analysis of news based on primary scientific sources; and the participation of national researchers and health professionals in the dissemination of information. To carry out the study, which corresponds to the qualitative approach of descriptive design, the main journalistic sources, both print, television and mainly digital at the country level, were analyzed through the inductive method, taking into account those who have the programming of news programs of greater influence and national reach according to the latest statistical data collected by the ministry of information and communication technologies of Paraguay. The results obtained indicate that a large part of the Paraguayan community has fallen into the dissemination of false information even since before the virus entered the country, which has generated a rapid reaction of neurosis in society, opting for actions related to purchases compulsive, xenophobia, risky health care practices, etc. In the second objective, it was determined that the main mass media had very little - if not null - own production of news based on primary scientific sources, denoting a composition based on direct translation from other foreign newspapers. Regarding the last objective, the existence of an incremental participation of researchers and specialists was determined as the main references when offering explanations related to the virus and the pandemic through the mass and digital media. Finally, a brief useful recommendation is made for future cases, based on foreign experiences.