London,
02
April
2020
|
09:02
Europe/London

CIPR supports Government's increasing efforts to counter coronavirus misinformation

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) welcomes the UK Government plans to counter misinformation surrounding coronavirus following previous confirmation that a ‘counter disinformation unit’ was being established.  

The ‘Don’t Feed the Beast Campaign’ - set up by the Government via the sharechecklist.gov.uk website – aims to educate the public on disinformation related to the coronavirus outbreak through the five simple SHARE steps:

  • Source - make sure information comes from a trusted source 
  • Headline - always read beyond the headline 
  • Analyse - check the facts 
  • Retouched - does the image or video look as though it has been doctored? 
  • Error - look out for bad grammar and spelling 

Meanwhile, a Rapid Response Unit – operating from within the Cabinet Office and Number 10 - has been deployed to combat false and misleading stories about coronavirus with a remit to ensure the public receives the right information in order to protect themselves and save lives.

CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR
The need for accurate and verifiable information shouldn’t be a luxury and, at this moment in time, is even necessary to save lives. On an issue as nationally and internationally significant as coronavirus, the need for transparent news and information must come from the top - governments and, in this country, our health service. We wholeheartedly welcome these moves to educate the public about, and tackle the threat of, fake news and urge all CIPR members to pay particular attention to any information they are sharing and communicating in their roles.
CIPR President, Jenni Field Chart.PR, FCIPR
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About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas with nearly 10,000 members.

The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).