3 types of “fake news” online
Things to look out for before you share, comment, or like.
Online there is a vast ocean of news sites and information being published to social media by the minute. With just about anyone being able to post anything the responsibility is put on the viewer to carefully analyze before giving the post more views. If you genuinely want the truth out and known, you must first be able to tell for yourself if what you are sharing is accurate.
According to Claire Wardle, there are three types of “fake news.” Wardle is the co-founder of First Draft, a nonprofit organization that supports professionals who want to fight for truth in the digital age. These three types then take on seven different forms. More on those forms here. Today I’ll discuss and give exmples of the general three.
1. Misinformation: False information someone shares without knowing it’s untrue.
Many have fallen for this, myself included. While trying to find an example I realized most have been deleted which is fair. There have been plenty of instances when even celebrities share or retweet in good faith.
Who could forget the roller coaster of emotions that Jussie Smollet took us on in early 2019. Not even the cops knew it was untrue.
I remember hearing about this and being as schocked as some of the comments and people sharing. It was however an honest mistake that did not take long to unravel.
2. Disinformation: False information that is shared with the intention to harm
This tweet shared by BBC News explains how China has been dealing with information about COVID-19. According to BBC News China is deflecting any responsibilty and is actually blaming it on America. I am sharing because they specifically use the word ‘disinformation’ meaning that they feel that what China is saying is false information and that China is intending to do damage with their claims.
3. Malinformation: True information that’s used to harm others
This can range from a a real photo taken out of context to a manipulated photo. It is also used to describe revenge porn which in Hollywood is very common.
Here is a pretty solid example of a photo taken out of context that was also included in the article linked in the begining. This was created with the intent to harm Nancy Pelosi’s reputation.
I rememeber pretty well when when Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna were an item. That was a hurricane of a relationship and they both seemed to want to damage eachother pretty bad in the public eye. In terms of revenge type porn here is this tweet from Rob Kardashian. One of the many rants at his attempt to harm, I guess you could say, Blac Chyna.
Underneath each of these three categories are basically sub categories for more specific types of misinformation. Overall misinformation, disinformation and malinformation will be the general category. So when in doubt check it out.
