ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the issue of Covid-19 and 5G conspiracy theories online, with “‘Totally false’ 5G conspiracy theories” blamed for a series of arson attempts on 5G cell towers around New Zealand. It explores how certain communities in New Zealand, particularly Maori and Pacific Islanders, have been found to be more susceptible to conspiracy theories via social media channels due to years of mistrust in the system and traditional media outlets. The chapter shows the scale of the problem in relation to misinformation about Covid-19 spreading online – before explaining how Vodafone New Zealand addressed this misinformation, both alongside an industry association and on its own social media platforms, to try to ‘fight fire with fire’. It explores how increased education measures using social media can be effective in combating misinformation on 5G, particularly among at-risk communities.
