Infoxylella.it: an experience of information and dissemination for a difficult topic

Infoxylella.it is a spontaneous initiative born in February 2016 by a group of researchers, technicians, olive growers, etc., all somehow involved in the Xylella topic, aimed to contrast conspiracy, disinformation and confusion generated, above all through social media, and partly responsible for the opposition and slowdown in the application of containment mandatory measures defined at European level. Infoxylella wants to communicate to and inform transparently public opinion and media with a simple and immediate language. In addition to the website (www.infoxylella.it), the editorial team (more than 30 people), manages a Facebook page and a Twitter profile that in 14 months saw a huge increase in the number of users. The constant commitment and the rigid rules on the dissemination of information only from official and verified sources have progressively increased the credibility and visibility of infoxylella that is often cited or used by journalists and media, like a press agency, as source of information. Although all contents are in Italian, thanks to the online translation utilities, infoxylella has today more than 4800 faithful followers in 45 different countries and a monthly average of 50.000 peoples reached. On behalf of the young experience of infoxylella, we believe that information, together with research results, can play an essential role in the effective application of the containment measures against Xylella and the epidemics in Europe.