The Difference Between Missinformation and Disinformation

 

Browsing your Facebook page or any content provider on social media ... one should have the ability at how this information is communicated.  It is a known fact that whatever platform they may be - anybody can share information without batting an eyelash ... and fact-checking was never their priority.

I am writing this piece to warn readers to sharpen their minds and be able to distinguish what information is being shared on the table.  Was it misinformation ... or was it disinformation? And is there any difference between the two?

One expert says the difference lies in the INTENT of the individual or group or company sharing the news or the information.

Whether it is misinformation or disinformation ... all content seen in our feeds can be dessiminated in divergent and diverse ways. The misleading news or information can land on your page in the form of a caricature, satire sarcasm, and irony ... others showed up without invitation clothe in the form of a joke or a spoof ... conspiracy plots, or schemes ... eye-catching links ... click-bait announcements ... rumors and scandals ... and other man-made manufactured reports.

What separates the two is that in misinformation there is no calculated and premeditated intent to fool and mislead the readers. It found its way to social media designed to sway, mold, or alter public sentiments on certain topics of discussion.

Disinformation on the other hand is spreading news, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories that are far-fetched, magnified, and obviously made up and overdone. They were there with the intent to go viral, improve traffic ... boost online visits ... fuel emotional response ... and encourage netizens' uproar.

The sources remained unchecked ... and the veracity of the news was doubtful.