Blog Post #8

EOTO #2 - Disinformation

Graphic Representing Awareness

Awareness is having knowledge or an understanding of something that is happening or exists. People can become informed on different events or facts so quickly within the time in the world that we live in today: the age of technology. With mediums that allow for easily-spread messages, however, comes the issue of wrong information being dispersed and interpreted. Three types of wrong information include disinformation, malformation, and misinformation. The two main differences between these types of information is intent and impact.

False Information Graphic

Disinformation is "deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda". To be put more plainly, disinformation is information spread that has an intentional change of facts, and is used mainly to discredit a person or organization. Disinformation is greatly used politically, socially, or economically, in order to reach a certain goal. This false type of information can be used to sway, shape, confuse, and influence people's understanding of a person or event. Examples of disinformation can be seen through propaganda, financial scams, and scandals.

Fake News Graphic

Misinformation is "false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead". As odd as it seems, the spread of misinformation happens every single day. This may sound very negative, although because misinformation is any kind of false or wrong information, this could simply be giving someone the wrong directions. Examples of the spread of misinformation can be seen through conspiracy theories, cultural and social beliefs, product marketing, clickbait, and accidental sharing.

Fact vs. Fake Information Graphic

Malinformation is "based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm, or manipulate". Malformation, while based on facts, is exaggerated. This type of information is prevalent within criminal activities, cyber attacks, and the assassination of one's character. Arguably, maliformation is one of the worst types of false information, and can cause significant challenges to society; whether that be to democratic processes, social cohesion, or to an individual's well-being.

Human Brain Graphic

While false information has many clear negative implications, there is actually a psychological benefit of it. There are many studies, such as one done in the journal Psychological Science, that claims that fake news may benefit memory. An article from Forbes explains that "thinking back on a time you encountered false information or 'false news' may prime your brain to better recall truthful memories. People who receive reminders of past misinformation may form new factual memories with greater fidelity." The more that a person encounters false information, the more awareness that person gains of false information being as prevalent as it is. In another study explained in the Forbes article, it is said that "results showed that misinformation reminders increased the participants' recall of facts and belief accuracy."

Fake News Graphic

An article published on NBC News' website states that a "World Economic Forum survey named misinformation and disinformation from AI as the top global risk over the next two years - ahead of climate change and war." Within the age of technology that we live in today, false information and fake news can easily be created and diffused. The question arises, however; will the continuous growth of technology add to the amount of false information that is circulated, or will it fight back and reduce the extent to which it is produced and consumed? There is a large gap between the two opinions: some believe that it is within human nature to fix problems and come together with others to do so, while others believe that fake news stems from the instinctive impulses of human nature. In reality, fake information will always be spread, with or without technology. Due to this fact, one needs to be able to consume messages from different mediums, and from there be able to determine whether the information is true or not. This is why looking to multiple sources for information about any topic is so important: to ensure that the correct facts, without people's opinions and bias', are translated to the brain.