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Disinformation as a security threat in the Czech information space in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
HŘEBEČEK, Jan
The thesis deals with the problem of disinformation news in the Czech information space, with attention paid to disinformation in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The aim of the thesis was to identify selected disinformation that appeared in the Czech information space in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to put them in context, to examine the impact of disinformation messages, the dangers of underestimating them, and to answer the research question what impact disinformation had in the Czech information space in connection with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. To achieve the objective, a quantitative research strategy was chosen and implemented through a questionnaire survey focused on the spread of disinformation news, the viewership and credibility of selected disinformation media in the context of other media, mass forwarded emails, attitudes towards disinformation news and sources of information in the society-wide context. The research sample consisted of 511 respondents from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia. The results uncovered some gaps in the aforementioned areas of research, even though students are being prepared to provide work, care and services in many areas of health care facilities and beyond, and medical, biological, natural science and advanced nursing and scientific knowledge is an important line of study for them. Nearly one-third of respondents (29%) agreed with more than one misinformation question. Further, 74% of respondents agreed that someone in their environment has changed behaviors or attitudes because of misinformation related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, exactly 30% of the respondents show a certain level of vulnerability in terms of succumbing to the effects of misinformation messages, as they are unable to recognise misinformation or to express themselves clearly on the issue. Due to the combination of vulnerability, following society-wide events mainly on online networks and in TV, their age and social status, the possibility of succumbing to radicalisation is several times higher than in the rest of society. Therefore, the above findings in this thesis are an important finding that should start receiving much more attention than it has so far. The thesis is aimed primarily at the professional community and offers a relatively comprehensive view of the issue.
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