Information vs Misinformation vs Disinformation
| Aspect | Disinformation | Information | Misinformation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Deliberately false or misleading information created and spread with the intent to deceive or manipulate. | Facts or details that are accurate and true, intended to inform or educate. | False or inaccurate information, but not spread with the intent to deceive. People sharing it often believe it to be true. |
| Purpose | To mislead, harm, or manipulate public opinion or obscure the truth. | To provide knowledge, educate, or inform about a topic or event accurately. | Spread due to misunderstanding, lack of verification, or error, without intent to harm. |
| Characteristics | Intentionally false, crafted and shared to deceive. | Accurate, reliable, often verified by credible sources. | Incorrect or misleading information shared without malicious intent. |
| Example | Creating and spreading a fake news story that claims a political figure was involved in a scandal, with fabricated evidence, to damage their reputation or influence public opinion. | Publishing a research study’s findings on the effectiveness of a new vaccine, based on clinical trials and peer-reviewed processes. | Sharing an article that mistakenly states a historical event took place on the wrong date, due to an error in sourcing. |
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