Desinformados

Desinformados is a Spanish term used to describe people who hold beliefs based on false or misleading information rather than on verified facts. The word combines the prefix des- with informado (informed), indicating a lack of accurate information or the influence of incorrect sources. In usage, it can be neutral, descriptive, or pejorative, depending on context and tone.

In discourse, desinformados are often discussed in relation to misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation refers to false information shared without intent to deceive, while disinformation involves deliberate deception. Desinformados may become targets of persuasion campaigns, selective exposure, and confirmation bias, which reinforce erroneous beliefs. Social media, partisan media, and propaganda can contribute to the spread of ideas that lead to people being described as desinformados.

Impact and implications include misinformed health decisions, political beliefs, or social attitudes, with potential consequences for public debate and policy support. Recognizing the label highlights the need for critical thinking and media literacy rather than stigmatization, and it underscores the importance of evaluating sources, checking facts, and seeking diverse perspectives.

Mitigation approaches aim to reduce the number of desinformados by promoting digital literacy, fact-checking, transparent information ecosystems, and educational efforts that teach how to assess credibility, differentiate between evidence and opinion, and understand cognitive biases.

See also: misinformation, disinformation, media literacy, critical thinking, fact-checking.