Missuppgifter

Missuppgifter is the Swedish term for misinformation, referring to information that is false or misleading, regardless of the creator's intent. It can arise from simple errors, misinterpretation, outdated or decontextualized data, or misleading framing.

Disinformation is deliberate falsehoods spread to deceive, while malinformation uses true information to cause harm. Missuppgifter, by contrast, may result from careless reporting or insufficient fact-checking, though intent is not always known.

Missuppgifter can appear in traditional media, online platforms, and everyday conversations. It spreads most readily on social networks and messaging apps, aided by algorithmic amplification, sensational headlines, and cognitive biases such as confirmation bias and the availability heuristic.

The effects include erosion of public trust, distortions in public discourse, and potential risks to health, safety, or democratic processes. Addressing missuppgifter involves media literacy, timely fact-checking, corrections, transparent sourcing, and responsible platform moderation.

Common forms include miscaptioned or decontextualized images, out-of-context quotes, cherry-picked statistics, and unverified but appealing claims.

See also: misinformation, disinformation, fake news, media literacy.