Unlike misinformation, disinformation does not involve honest mistakes. It is the deliberate spreading of false or misleading reports to deceive people and achieve a specific goal. For instance, someone might create fabricated news stories to discredit a political candidate or to secure public opinion on an issue. Fake news usually falls into the category of disinformation because it is created with the intent to trick the audience.
The motives behind disinformation campaigns can be varied. Foreign governments might use it to undermine rival nations, and political parties might create fake stories to smear opponents.
Tactics Used in Disinformation Campaigns
Disinformation campaigns rely on deceptive tactics. One common strategy is to create fake news articles and social media posts that resemble legitimate sources. These fabricated stories can then be amplified by bots and fake accounts, creating the illusion of widespread support.
Another strategy is to exploit emotions by using dramatic language and fake visuals. These campaigns can use headlines or inflammatory language to appeal to people’s fears or prejudices, as evoking these emotions can help a story spread more easily. A related approach is to get people with shared political views to amplify the post by appealing to their worldviews.
Disinformation can also be used for marketing. Stories could over-promise results for certain products or create false narratives to discredit competitors.
Identifying the Purveyors of Disinformation
Individuals who create disinformation usually do so in support of a country, organization, or political party. In some cases, governments or companies employ people to create and spread disinformation on their behalf. The end goal of disinformation is not to provide facts, but to manipulate public sentiment in favor of the campaign’s backers, or against its opponents.
For example, an organization may spread disinformation by publishing fake stories to discredit regulators or to villainize a group that opposes their activities.