Misinformation refers to the unintentional sharing of false, inaccurate or misleading information without the intent to deceive or cause harm. Unlike disinformation, which is deliberately crafted to manipulate or mislead, misinformation is often spread by individuals who believe the information to be true. It can arise from misunderstandings, incomplete knowledge or the misinterpretation of facts. There are also cases in which true information is manipulated and used out of context with the intention to lead to error or to inflame certain feelings, such as hatred. This last example is sometimes referred to as “malinformation”.
Misinformation frequently spreads through social media, messaging platforms and other digital channels, where users may inadvertently share incorrect information with their networks. Even though the intent behind sharing misinformation is not malicious, it can still have harmful effects, such as contributing to the spread of conspiracy theories, eroding public trust or exacerbating social divides. The rapid spread of misinformation during events like health crises, elections or natural disasters can lead to confusion, panic or misinformed decision making.
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term written in lower case