Misinformation and Disinformation

What is misinformation?

Purposeful misinformation, or “disinformation” is the deliberate spreading false information. The information spread is often disguised as factual. Misinformation can be used to trick people into believing false ideas, used to flood information sites to make the real information inaccessible, used to confuse people, upset people, or even to break down people’s trust and make them question whats real. Sometimes, if people fall for trickery, they will spread the the misinformation themselves, and unknowlingly spread it further.

Why is it important?

Misinformation affects people's opinions and views, particularly their political views. Politicians can use misinformation to manipulate people into voting for them. They can spread false information about competitor parties and defame them with libel. They can use fear mongering to cause people to distrust the government. Misinformation also is used to villainize certain minority groups such as jewish people, transgender people, or women. Medical disinformation is also very common. Lies are frequently spread about things such as vaccines, cosmetic surgeries, and more recently COVID-19. Misinformation negatively affects everyone, and is an important social issue.