Misinformation and disinformation aren’t new phenomena in our society, but in this digital age, they’ve become nearly impossible to escape. Every day, on every social media platform, fake news stories circulate faster than fact-checkers can debunk them. One viral post might claim that Starbucks sponsored a controversial political convention, while another spreads gossip about a celebrity’s personal life. Misinformation and disinformation are both bad if you believe them.
There is a big difference between misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is shared by mistake. The person spreading it genuinely believes it to be true. For example, someone might share a fake news article on Instagram without realizing it’s from an unreliable source. The intent isn’t to deceive, but the result that is spreading false information, still contributes to public confusion.
Disinformation, on the other hand, is intentionally false information created and spread with a purpose. It’s a strategy used to manipulate opinions, sow division, or influence decisions often for political or financial gain. The people or organizations behind disinformation articles know the information is false but share it anyway. A striking example of disinformation occurred in 2017, when Jayda Fransen, the deputy leader of Britain First (an ultranationalist group), shared a video on Twitter claiming that a “Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches.”
The video went viral, even being retweeted by the U.S. President, Donald Trump. Later, Dutch authorities confirmed that neither of the boys involved was Muslim or an immigrant. This incident highlights how disinformation can be weaponized to stoke fear and prejudice for political ends.
Psychology behind believing fake news
Why do so many people fall for misinformation or disinformation? Psychologists point to several cognitive biases that make us vulnerable. First is confirmation bias, the tendency to believe information that confirms our existing views and dismiss information that contradicts them. If a false story aligns with our beliefs or political leanings, we’re far more likely to accept it without question.
Another factor is the illusory truth effect, which shows that repeated exposure to the same false claim increases our likelihood of believing it. This is why social media algorithms, which prioritize engagement and repetition, can amplify misinformation dramatically. In addition, people often trust information shared by friends or family more than information from official sources. On platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, or X (formerly Twitter), the emotional tone of a post can override skepticism.
Why misinformation and disinformation are dangerous
At first glance, misinformation might seem less harmful than disinformation, since there’s no intent to deceive. But in practice, both can be equally damaging once people start believing them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation spread almost as fast as the virus itself. One of the most infamous examples came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that drinking bleach could potentially treat COVID-19. Even though health experts immediately debunked this claim. This shows how misinformation, even when shared innocently or speculatively, can have dangerous real-world consequences.
The best defense is awareness — learning to think critically, verify before sharing, and understand the motives behind the messages we consume.
Disinformation campaigns are often highly organized and strategic. For example what happened at the U.S. Capitol in 2021. The Capitol was swarmed by rioters. The rioters invaded the building, causing havoc while entering the building. There is a connection between this attack and the spread of disinformation. People were spreading the (fake) news about a widespread voter fraud and election rigging. On December 20th, Donald Trump tweeted: “Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 election. Big protest in DC on January 6th. Be there, will be wild”. And on that day, Januari 6th, the riots took place.
Conclusion
Misinformation may begin as an honest mistake, while disinformation is a deliberate strategy — but both can cause havoc once they take hold. In an age where information spreads instantly and globally, truth competes with lies for our attention. Whether the goal is profit, politics, or simple misunderstanding, the impact is the same: confusion, mistrust, and division.
The best defense is awareness — learning to think critically, verify before sharing, and understand the motives behind the messages we consume. The line between misinformation and disinformation may seem thin, but recognizing it is the first step toward protecting not just ourselves, but the integrity of our societies.
RESEARCH | ARTICLE © Briana Arrigucci
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Sources:
https://apnews.com/hub/not-real-news
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