Ethical Social Media Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study

This case study explores the ethical dimensions of social media communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on its dual role in disseminating both accurate health information and misinformation. As the pandemic escalated, many turned to social platforms for updates, resulting in widespread misinformation that generated public confusion, anxiety, and vaccine hesitancy. The study highlights the critical responsibilities of health professionals, social media platforms, and public health organizations in ensuring accurate information dissemination while actively combating misinformation. It emphasizes the need for ethical communication strategies focused on integrity, transparency, and accountability. Additionally, it proposes practical solutions, such as automated fact-checking through artificial intelligence algorithms, human monitoring, and collaborative educational campaigns, to enhance the reliability of health information shared on social media. The findings aim to inform best practices for ethical digital communication in future health crises, fostering public trust and improving health outcomes. Key words: ethics, communication, pandemic, case study