Misinformation, Disinformation, and ‘Fake News’ in the 21st Century

The following is a high level overview on the spread of Disinformation, Misinformation, ‘Fake News’, or Outright Lies about Religion, Healthcare, Politics, UFOs, Aliens, International Affairs, Economy, Stock Market… in this 21^st century ‘Information Age’. It is more rampant than ever on today’s cable TV channels, the Internet, the blogosphere, social media, and other sources of information.

Sorting through the vast amount of information created and shared online is challenging even for many experts – specially when you’re looking for the ‘truth’. Do you know the difference between ‘fake news’, misinformation, and disinformation? Understanding the various ways that false information is shared, and the motives behind its creation, is extremely important in this ‘Information Age’. So let’s take a quick look at this issue.

 

Definitions for Misinformation, Disinformation, and ‘Fake News’ Misinformation - False information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead. Disinformation - Deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda. Fake News - Purposefully crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or totally fabricated information that mimics the form of mainstream news.

The following are a couple of recent articles on misinformation, disinformation, and ‘fake news’ that you might want to take a few minutes to read for yourself.

• Misinformation vs. Disinformation Explained

• Misinformation, Disinformation and Hoaxes: What’s the difference?

• Misinformation and Technology Trends

In addition, there are several books you might want to check out about the Misinformation Age.

• The Misinformation Age

• A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age

Here are a couple of final observations and thoughts you might also want to consider.

• Sadly, commercial media organizations today have conflated profit with purpose, and news with entertainment. They no longer report the news, they create it, and have turned fact-based news into opinion-based gossip.
• Its amazing to see how a small group of online sources are able to create a huge amount of chaos online, and destruction -- without any legal consequences.

• Finally, have you noticed the plethora of cable TV shows on ‘history’ or ‘religion’ where UFOs and alien entities are said to be responsible for building the pyramids, visiting our world and passing along sacred scriptures, and so many other highly questionable claims.

 

Potential Solutions

The following are a selection of solutions needed to help counter misinformation, disinformation, and ‘fake news’.

• First, we need to educate and clearly explain to people what misinformation is and why it’s actually very dangerous.
• Second, people should not blindly trust every piece of information they hear or receive over digital news and social media platforms.
• Third, fact-checkers must be employed and empowered by key institutions to verify questionable information and facts being shared by news media and social media influencers.
• Fourth, people should be encouraged to broaden the selection of news and social media sources they use so they do not get trapped in a ‘bubble’, ignoring other credible factual resources.
• Finally, we need both a nation-wide and world-wide effort by the public and private sectors, to build better media literacy, and to empower members of the public to recognize information or news designed specifically to mislead.