Managing an infodemic in the global south: a systematic evidence synthesis from COVID-19 social listening reports

This article examines how social listening can support infodemic management and risk communication during public health emergencies. Drawing on a systematic synthesis of 91 social listening reports from South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic, it identifies 964 instances of misinformation across 12 thematic categories, including disease management, vaccine safety, side effects and conspiracy theories. The study also analyses 573 recommended actions, grouped into eight response areas, to identify strategies for addressing misinformation and public concerns.

The key takeaway is that effective infodemic management requires a continuous process of monitoring misinformation, understanding community concerns and adapting communication strategies accordingly. The study proposes a circular social listening framework to translate emerging misinformation signals into targeted public health responses. It highlights community engagement, tailored health education, credible messengers and sustained monitoring as priorities for strengthening risk communication, while acknowledging that the effectiveness of the recommended interventions was not evaluated.