The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) welcomes the government decision to set up a ‘counter disinformation unit’ – comprised of various departments across Whitehall to identify and respond to disinformation about COVID-19.
The unit will work closely with social media companies and communications experts to monitor interference and limit the spread of disinformation. This decision follows proposals to increase the tightening of social media regulations, as the government are set to appoint Ofcom as the new online harm’s regulator.
We remind members of their commitment to the CIPR code of conduct – you must check the reliability and accuracy of information before sharing with the public. The national significance of this issue highlights the importance of the role of communicators. We welcome the government’s efforts to ensure greater accountability at a time when the need for truthful and accurate information is required.
CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR
- CIPR’s Local Public Services (LPS) Group have published a list of links and resources relating to coronavirus. The information from the official sources can assist communications practitioners working in the local public sector and other fields.
