Misinformation & Disinformation by Michela Flood

Syracuse University. © 2024 Michela Flood

Misinformation is defined as false, incorrect, or misleading information. This concept is immensely popular in the media and can have a range of unsatisfying, dangerous effects for the news or people in the news.

Disinformation is a similar concept from which false information is spread to mislead, thus starting confusion. According to the National Library of Australia, the difference between the two concepts is that misinformation is simply the status of false information being spread, and disinformation is more deliberate working through a harmful purpose.

Both contain works that have been manipulated to cater to a certain story even if it is vastly untrue. Additionally, fake news is another realm to be weary of. Fake news is quite literally, news that is fake, falsified, or untrue.

According to “Mobile and Social Media Journalism” by Anthony Adornato: “Fake news has become part of a broader discussion about media literacy and the extent to which society values factually accurate information” (Adornato 299). Additionally, “Fake news is the deliberate fabrication of information with the intent to deceive” (300).

Fake news flourishes by either fully generating complete lies, or twisting the truth to deceive and make events appear differently. I agree with this book's definition because of the idea that the presence of fake news flourishes under deceptiveness, and works to confuse, deceive, or tweak information to distort perceptions and reality. The book encompasses the idea that tech and media companies have a huge presence in the media world, serving as the drivers for where work can be released, and where work can receive a platform.

As such, these organizations should work with best practices and interests to ensure fake news is not dominating. Algorithms and financials allow fake news to continue to have a platform because news organizations are working in this flawed system. With this, rather than working solely from a profit standpoint, tech companies should work to verify they are producing accurate information to both enhance their credibility as a news source and for the consumer's benefit to make sure readers are getting the correct information.

Misinformation and disinformation would have practically no platforms, if news and media took the time to verify and ensure information was correct, as well as refused to give information that was not fact-based on any platform. If the news was only released once it was ensured to be truthful, then these people spreading false information could only be released on their private platforms or resources, as opposed to having lies spread on much larger platforms of media.

If fake news was always refuted by big news organizations, by efficiently fact-checking before publication the spread of false information would be greatly lessened, thus allowing people to be able to differentiate truth vs. lies. As such, because it gives lies a place to grow, gaining traction, attention, and popularity, tech companies are somewhat to blame for the problem if they are not implementing proper fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy.

To combat the issues, journalists and companies should work for the betterment of society, under honesty and ethical standards. After all, a trusted source or journalist is going to be the most successful in the long run, because they can serve as a source of honesty and reliability for consumers, which is what people want when gravitating to news.

According to The SPJ News Journalists play a critical role in fighting misinformation by Francisco Avilva, journalists are hired and should always work to report the facts, living in an era of misinformation and lies has in a sense distorted this idea, but, when it comes back to the basis of journalism the reality is that what is being reported should serve as accurate, true, and reliable information. To combat fake news, the book claims that the efforts need to be a group strategy between technology companies, journalists, educators, and the public.

Understanding what a negative weight the presence of untrue information holds is key to working to prevent such events, and remain a trusted source in news. I want to be a journalist that people rely on, and I want my work to reflect my values of kindness and honesty in the way that I conduct and live my life. These principles that I flourish off of in my daily lifestyle, I would want to serve in the way I do my work and job.