Wikimedia+Libraries International Convention 2025/Programme/negotionism-health-casa-oswado-cruz
Combating disinformation and historical negationism in health: experience from Casa de Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz- MARCUS VINÍCIUS PEREIRA DA SILVA
Time: 14:30-14:45
Room: Alfonso Reyes A (40)
Abstract:
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in disinformation and historical negationism across various fields of knowledge. In the health sector, particularly, the spread of false information negatively impacts the population’s quality of life and health promotion practices. In Brazil, during the COVID-19 infodemic, disinformation was even propagated by the country's president and several governors. In response, Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, a unit of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) – one of the largest health research institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean – has partnered with Wiki Movimento Brasil (WMB) to launch several initiatives. These include hosting Editathons aimed at improving the quality of science and health information on Wikipedia and making cultural heritage from Casa de Oswaldo Cruz’s collection openly accessible on Wikimedia Commons. The section will present data on the Brazilian public's perception of science and of Fiocruz, along with the strategies developed by the Fiocruz to expand free public access to information and knowledge. These strategies include the Open Access to Knowledge Policy (published in 2014), the Scientific Dissemination Policy (published in 2021), and the Data Management, Sharing, and Opening Policy for Research (published in 2020). Additionally, it will highlight the wiki strategies implemented by Casa de Oswaldo Cruz to improve the quality of information on wiki platforms. The session may contribute to the institution's strategies for combating disinformation.
