Misinformation is wrong information shared by someone who thinks it is true. Disinformation is wrong information shared deliberately. During elections both spread fast because people share things that make them feel strongly. The best defence is slowing down and asking who made this, when, and what is missing.
Misinformation is wrong information shared by someone who thinks it is true. Disinformation is wrong information shared deliberately. During elections both spread fast because people share things that make them feel strongly. The best defence is slowing down and asking who made this, when, and what is missing.
Misinformation: wrong, but not on purpose.
Disinformation: wrong, and on purpose.
Strong feelings are the warning sign.
Check the source before you share.
These work on a post, a video, a poster or a quote from a friend.
Who made this, and what do they want me to do?
When was it made? Old images get reused during campaigns.
What is missing? A quote cut in half can reverse its meaning.
Where else is this reported? One source is not confirmation.
A genuine, unedited photograph of a small crowd taken twenty minutes before an event starts is not a lie. Captioning it 'nobody turned up' is. Context is where most misleading happens, not editing.
Reporting says what happened. Analysis explains what it might mean. Opinion argues what should happen. All three are legitimate, and mixing them up is where a lot of confusion starts.
What if I already shared something wrong?
Say so and correct it. That is what good newsrooms do too.
Is being biased the same as lying?
No. Bias is a leaning. Lying is stating something untrue.