SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION AND INFORMATION DISORDER IN PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

Abstract

The sheer indispensability of information dissemination in public health emergencies cannot be overemphasized. While traditional media such as Newspapers, Radio, Television, Postal Mails, is still in use for this purpose, social media platforms have proved effective in providing 24/7 accessibility and availability of information to combat issues on Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). However, despite the importance of social media during public health crisis, the challenge of regulating false and misleading content during such period presents a global challenge. This paper adopts the Doctrinal research method. It examines the role of Social Media in Public health crisis, and the existing international and regional legal framework protecting freedom of expression. The Paper exposes various attempts or suitable means to regulate social media during public health crisis and recommends the adoption of a multi- stakeholder, inter-dependent approach to effectively tackle the challenge of disinformation.