Misinformation

Misinformation is the spread of false or inaccurate information presented as fact, regardless of the intent of the person sharing it. It differs from disinformation, which is false information spread with the explicit aim of deceiving others or manipulating opinion. Misinformation can arise from misunderstandings, misinterpretations, errors in data or reporting, outdated information, or intentional misstatements that are mistaken for truth.

Common forms include rumors, miscaptioned or edited images and videos, fake headlines, hoaxes, exaggerated statistics, and claims presented as expert opinion or science. It can also involve satire or sarcasm that is not recognized as such, leading to misinterpretation.

Causes and drivers include cognitive biases such as confirmation bias and the illusory truth effect, rapid news cycles, algorithmic amplification on social platforms, echo chambers, and gaps in media literacy. Misinformation can spread across social media, messaging apps, blogs, forums, and sometimes traditional media, spreading beyond its initial source through rapid sharing and repetition.

Impacts can be wide-ranging, affecting public health decisions, political opinions, consumer behavior, and trust in institutions. In some cases, misinformation can cause real-world harm or influence policy debates.

Mitigation strategies emphasize verification and fact-checking, education in media literacy, and encouraging critical evaluation of sources. Platform-oriented approaches include labeling, reducing algorithmic amplification for dubious content, friction in sharing, and transparent corrections. Legal and ethical considerations balance freedom of expression with the goal of preventing harm, recognizing that regulating misinformation involves complex policy trade-offs.