A large number of online media outlets have published, a few days ago, articles describing the decline in patients admitted to the University Hospital and Clinical Service of Kosovo (ShSKUK) for treatment of Covid-19. However, in a large part of these publications, it is noticeable that the title is inconsistent with the news. Moreover, some of the media outlets have misunderstood this news and, as a result, have spread misinformation to readers.
The information provided by ShSKUK doctors was that "the number of patients being treated for Covid-19 in the Infectious Diseases Clinic has dropped to 80". While many media outlets have interpreted this as a decrease in patients in the entire hospital center (in all clinics).
This article has been shared by many media outlets.
Full article:
T: The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 at UCCK falls to 80.
The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-80 at the Infectious Diseases Clinic at UCCK has dropped to 19.
This was stated tonight by infectious disease specialist Murat Mehmeti, who emphasized that half of them are on oxygen therapy, reports Klan Kosova.
"Fortunately, we do not have any hospitalized patients. Three patients are in intensive care, they are doing well with oxygen with a regular mask," Mehmeti said.
"We have a small decrease in the flow of patients, and that's for sure. We have patients in a lighter condition. The fact that the number of patients has decreased means that the dynamics are also smaller. The number of 80 patients means that great work and dedication are needed because almost all of these patients are on oxygen therapy."
Links to some articles:
Good news from UCCK: The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients drops to 80
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-80 at UCCK drops to 19
In most articles, the content of the text does not correspond to the title. Unlike the title, which is incorrect, the content within the text explains that the 80% drop in the number of patients being treated for Covid-19 has occurred only in the Infectious Diseases Clinic, while another significant portion of treatments are being done in other clinics at the ShSKUK.
This is also evidenced by the report of the same day sent via email by the Ministry of Health on the number of patients infected with Covid-19 hospitalized in all clinics of this hospital center.
Analysis:
Based on the analysis of facts checked by hibrid.info, it can be said that these articles qualify as disinformation, clickbait, fake news, and the dissemination of fake news.
Reasoning:
Disinformation – A “Disinformation” rating is given to media reporting that contains a “mix” of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful content. This rating will also address reports that have incorrect attributions or headlines that do not reflect the text in terms of accuracy of information.
Fake News – The “Fake News” rating is given to media reports that are entirely the product of a medium that itself contains factually incorrect claims or information. Content that is rated as fake news can be reliably determined to have been created and distributed with the intent to misinform the public, i.e., to present a claim that is completely false as fact.
Broadcasting Fake News – This rating is given to media reports that broadcast original content from another media outlet that contains a fake news story. The rating is only given for broadcasting content that is categorized as fake news.
Clickbait – “Clickbait” are those texts whose title has no basis in the content of the following text. Such texts and articles aim to attract the attention of the reader or even the consumer with a sensational title by promising content that does not actually exist and are created mainly out of financial interest, that is, due to increased readability. So, this type of text is only intended to click, which can be converted into a profit for the content producer.