Misinformation vs Disinformation: How America is being gaslit

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Misinformation and disinformation have evolved from isolated rumors into sophisticated campaigns designed to mislead, polarize, and destabilize societies.

• The Edelman Trust Barometer 2022 found that 76% of people globally worry about fake news being used as a weapon, emphasizing widespread concerns over disinformation.

• According to MIT research, false news spreads six times faster than true news on Twitter, with misinformation more likely to be shared by users than factual content.

The rapid rise of misinformation, disinformation and fake news has become a defining challenge in the digital age. With the explosion of social media and online platforms, false narratives can now spread faster and more widely than ever before, often outpacing the truth. Whether it’s false claims about elections, health crises like COVID-19, or global issues like climate change, fake news has eroded trust in institutions, influenced public opinion, and created deep societal divisions. In an era where information is power, the line between fact and fiction is increasingly blurred, making the fight against misinformation more urgent than ever.

Disinformation vs Misinformation

While both misinformation and disinformation contribute to the spread of false information, they are distinct in intent and impact. Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread without malicious intent. It often arises from misunderstandings, mistakes, or a lack of fact-checking, with the person sharing it believing the information to be true. An example of misinformation could be someone sharing a misleading statistic about vaccine safety, not knowing it has been debunked.

Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberately false information created and spread with the intent to deceive or manipulate. It is a more dangerous form of falsehood because it is crafted to mislead people, often for political, financial, or ideological gain. For instance, disinformation campaigns during elections may be designed to confuse voters, reduce trust in democratic processes, or sway public opinion based on false premises.

When comparing misinformation vs. disinformation it is important to note that while misinformation can often be corrected through education and fact-checking, disinformation requires a more robust response, as it is intentionally constructed to manipulate and undermine the truth.

Attack From Within

Misinformation as a modern weapon and how to fight back

In Attack From Within, Barbara McQuade provides a compelling analysis of the internal threats that weaken societies, with a particular focus on the growing menace of misinformation. McQuade, a former U.S. Attorney, uses her expertise in national security to explore how misinformation erodes trust in democratic institutions, fuels division, and undermines public health and safety.

Her book is especially relevant in today’s information age, where false narratives spread faster than ever before. Misinformation is a potent weapon, capable of causing societal harm without a single shot being fired.

Disinformation, Misinformation & National Security

The Case of Russian Interference

“When false narratives take hold, they fracture societies, turning citizens against one another. Democracy is not undone by force but by confusion and fear.”

- Barbara McQuade, Attack From Within

In her analysis, McQuade details how Russia’s tactics involved manipulating social media to spread divisive content. A Senate Intelligence Committee report concluded that Russian agents targeted millions of Americans with misleading information designed to exacerbate divisions along political and racial lines.

The fallout from this misinformation campaign has been long-lasting, with public trust in elections deeply eroded. A Reuters/Ipsos poll from 2021 revealed that 53% of Republicans still believed Donald Trump was the “true president,” despite no evidence to support claims of widespread voter fraud.

Public Health Misinformation

The COVID-19 Pandemic Case Study

Despite the success of vaccines in reducing severe illness and death, many people were swayed by false claims about the dangers of vaccination. For instance, conspiracy theories about microchips or altering DNA through vaccines were rampant on social media. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as of mid-2021, 67% of unvaccinated adults believed or were unsure about at least one false claim regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. This kind of misinformation had dire consequences, leading to vaccine hesitancy, which in turn prolonged the pandemic and led to preventable deaths.

Disinformation and misinformation on immigration

Fueling xenophobia in the US

Disinformation is not just perpetrated by Russia, extremists, conspiracy theorists or the ignorant but is done purposely by those seeking to get or remain in power. During a recent presidential debate, former President Donald Trump repeated a false claim that immigrants in Ohio were eating pet dogs and cats, reviving a long-standing, harmful stereotype about migrants. This accusation gained traction when JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, echoed similar rumors regarding Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio. Despite these claims being debunked by local authorities, such rhetoric fueled misinformation on social media. Trump’s comments during the debate intensified the narrative, leading to further spread of baseless rumors online.

"They're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats," Trump said during an answer to a question about immigration. "They're eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."

The rumors of immigrants eating pets stem from deep-rooted xenophobia and fear-mongering, often used to dehumanize and vilify migrant communities. Historically, such stereotypes have been employed to portray immigrants as uncivilized or threatening, reinforcing negative biases. These false narratives also serve to distract from real issues such as strained infrastructure, housing shortages, or social tensions that arise in communities facing large migrant influxes. The subcontext is a blend of fear, misinformation, and cultural prejudice used to stoke division and marginalize immigrant groups.

Election Misinformation and Consequences

A perfect storm of misinformation during the 2020 U.S. election led to the January 6th, 2021, Capitol insurrection, where rioters—believing the election had been “stolen”—attempted to overturn the results. McQuade calls this a prime example of how misinformation can directly incite violence:

“When lies are repeated often enough, they become reality for those who want to believe them. That is the power of misinformation—it preys on hope, fear, and the desire to believe in a preferred narrative.”

- Barbara McQuade, Attack From Within

Despite the debunking of election fraud claims, the persistence of these false narratives demonstrates the need for a multi-pronged approach to stop misinformation before it escalates into violence or societal breakdown.

Combating Misinformation and Disinformation

What Can Be Done?

Media Literacy and Critical Thinking

Education is the first line of defense against misinformation. Fostering critical thinking skills is essential for empowering individuals to discern between legitimate information and false narratives. Schools, universities, and workplaces should prioritize media literacy training to help people evaluate sources of information critically.

One promising initiative is Finland’s nationwide media literacy program, which teaches students to recognize fake news and verify sources. The program has been widely praised for reducing the influence of misinformation in Finland.

Fact-Checking and Transparent Reporting

Fact-checking plays a crucial role in combating misinformation. McQuade argues that independent fact-checking organizations should be supported and amplified to ensure that false information is quickly corrected.

Organizations like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact regularly debunk viral misinformation and provide accurate information. Media outlets must also commit to transparent and responsible journalism, with clear distinctions between facts, opinions, and advertisements.

Algorithm Accountability

One of the most alarming issues McQuade highlights is how social media algorithms amplify sensational, misleading content because it generates higher engagement. To combat this, she suggests that technology companies be held accountable for how their platforms spread misinformation.

One solution is for social media platforms to modify their algorithms to prioritize reliable news sources over sensationalist or misleading content. Twitter, for example, has begun labeling misleading tweets with warnings and providing links to verified information. Facebook has also partnered with independent fact-checkers to flag false posts, but many argue that more stringent measures are needed.

Legal and Regulatory Responses

McQuade advocates for legal reforms to combat malicious misinformation campaigns, particularly those coming from foreign actors. She supports stronger penalties for individuals and organizations that knowingly spread false information that endangers public safety or democracy.

One such approach could involve revisiting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields social media companies from liability for content posted by users. Some have proposed reforms that would hold platforms accountable for failing to address widespread misinformation, especially when it endangers public health or national security.

Conclusion: Vigilance in the Fight Against Misinformation and Disinformation

Often information is shared faster that it can be checked causing greater rifts, tensions and political apathy. Misinformation vs. disinformation... which is worse? The simple answer is that both are harmful to democracy. Misinformation and disinformation, whether it involves election integrity, public health, or climate change, erodes trust, weakens institutions, and distorts reality. But by arming ourselves with education, supporting fact-checking, holding tech platforms accountable, and advocating for legal reforms, we can combat the tide of falsehoods and protect the integrity of our societies.

References

McQuade, B. (2023). Attack From Within. [Publisher]. Reuters/Ipsos poll. (2021). “53% of Republicans Believe Trump is True President.” Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). “Vaccine Misinformation Among Unvaccinated Adults.” Senate Intelligence Committee. (2020). “Report on Russian Active Measures.” MIT study. (2018). “The Spread of True and False News Online.” Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. (2020). “Americans’ Beliefs About Climate Change.” Finnish Ministry of Education. (2020). “Finland’s Media Literacy Program.”