Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories During the Covid-19 Pandemic in NSW, Australia and the Risks for Social Cohesion

Conspiracy theories are by no means new. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks and dangers associated with beliefs in conspiracy theories and misinformation intensified. Furthermore, while conspiracy theories are often attributed to marginal or fringe populations, the pandemic context saw the spread of such ideas more widely and with greater impacts. The latter includes fuelling major public disorders, political violence and/or widespread rejection of public health orders or advice, as well as other serious threats to social health and harmony. This paper presents the findings from the first known substantive empirical study of the prevalence and type of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Based on a survey of the New South Wales population (n:5276), the study provides evidence of the social factors for vulnerability to misinformation. The study found strong associations between belief in misinformation and (dis)trust in public institutions, willingness to support violent extremism, belief in traditional gender norms and willingness to risk defying public health orders. This suggests that misinformation, left unaddressed, holds the prospect of both broadening exposure to extremism, as well as degrading social cohesion.