dinformation

Dinformation is a term that appears sporadically in discussions of information in the digital age, but it does not have a single, universally accepted definition. In some contexts it is used as a blend of digital information, referring to information that exists and circulates primarily in digital form and through online networks. In other contexts, dinformation is a shorthand for disinformation or for the broader phenomenon of misinformation within digital ecosystems. Because of these divergent uses, the exact meaning of dinformation varies with the author and the field.

In information studies and media studies, dinformation may denote information content that is produced, modified, and disseminated via digital platforms, including the role of algorithms, metadata, and platform governance in shaping what information is visible or trusted. In discussions of misinformation, some writers use dinformation to emphasize the mediated nature of false content online, while others reserve the term for the quality and integrity challenges of information circulating in digital channels.

Critics argue that the term can cause confusion with related concepts such as information quality, misinformation, and disinformation. Proponents suggest it can help foreground the digital context of information flows and aid cross-disciplinary discussion. Because it is not standardized, readers should rely on the specific definition provided by the author when encountering the term.

See also: disinformation, misinformation, digital information, information quality, information governance.