It's no secret that a lot has happened this year. The 24/7 news cycle, along with the pandemic and protests around the world, have only increased the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

“What we’re seeing in this event, due to the long-term uncertainty and the fact that the event just keeps going and going with COVID-19, is that there is just more opportunity for people to get things wrong and spread misinformation,” said Kate Starbird, Associate Professor of Human-Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washington.

Starbird's research shows that disinformation is more common in man-made events such as political campaigns and protests, versus natural disasters. Misinformation, on the other hand, can easily spread through all crises.

KING 5's New Day Northwest presents Sorting Fact From Fiction. Sponsored by AARP Washington in partnership with the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington and BECU.

KING 5 Seattle Transcript on Youtube

FULL INTERVIEW: UW Associate Professor Kate Starbird on the role of misinformation in a crisis