2 | Misinformation or Disinformation
In today's society, news is able to spread in a matter of seconds. A social media post can reach millions before the information is checked and verified as accurate. The ability to share over social media has kept us informed and connected, it also has its downsides. Not everything we see, read, or hear is true. As fast as valuable information spreads, the false information can do just the same. This is where the concepts of misinformation and disinformation become important. Understanding these terms allows us to stay aware of what is true and what is not, and being able to separate real news from fake news is an essential skill in the modern world.
Although the two words are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. According to the American Psychological Association, “Misinformation is false or inaccurate information—getting the facts wrong. Disinformation is false information which is deliberately intended to mislead—intentionally misstating the facts.”
While both play a significant role in mass media, the difference matters. Misinformation is usually unintentional. It often happens when people share a story too quickly without checking if it’s true. Disinformation, on the other hand, is spread on purpose to trick or mislead people, usually for political, financial, or social benefit.
Today’s fast-moving media makes false information spread quickly. News outlets rush to report first and sometimes get things wrong. Meanwhile, some people and groups use this rush to share false stories that benefit them. Once misinformation or disinformation starts spreading, it is very hard to stop. False stories, whether shared by accident or on purpose, can affect elections, confuse people about health and safety, and cause divisions in communities.
Misinformation is not intentional, but it can still cause harm. A wrong statistic, an old article, or a misunderstood picture can spread confusion and shape opinions in ways that affect people’s lives. Disinformation is more dangerous because it is made to trick, control, and deceive. Its main goal is to distort reality, which makes it one of the biggest problems in today’s media world.
This is a graph from Taylor & Francis depicting how these terms are similar and different. The solution is to be careful and thoughtful with the information we see. Before sharing a story, we should ask if it comes from a trusted source, if more than one outlet has confirmed it, and if it sounds exaggerated or too good to be true. By learning media skills, using fact-checking tools, and taking time to think before reacting, we can protect ourselves from being misled.
In our fast-moving world, news and stories spread in seconds, but the truth can get lost along the way. Learning to tell misinformation from disinformation is key to staying informed. When we slow down and focus on accuracy instead of speed, we make better choices and help protect our communities.
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