Debunking misinformation in times of crisis: Exploring misinformation correction strategies for effective internal crisis communication

This study aimed to explore misinformation correction strategies for effective internal crisis communication. Using an experimental study (N = 1196) with full-time employees in the United States, this study found that a corrective strategy using more elaborated facts was effective in protecting internal reputation and that timely, proactive communication to debunk crisis misinformation was a significant factor influencing employees' cognitive reactance (counterarguing) and behavioural outcomes. This research can help crisis communicators better understand how to prevent negative outcomes that undermine the effectiveness of evidence-based communication efforts. Specifically, the findings suggest the use of more proactive internal crisis communication to correct misinformation and to prevent damage caused by employees' misconceptions and related communication behaviours. Furthermore, the study theoretically extends the literature on debunking crisis-misinformation by elucidating the cognitive and behavioural processes of crisis misinformation in internal crisis communication.