Every day we swim in waves of falsehoods - from harmless rumors to targeted information attacks. Extremists fuel conspiracy theories, corporations polish their image, and ordinary users spread “news” without a second thought. The World Health Organization even coined a new word for this storm of confusion: “infodemic.”
When Elon Musk took over Twitter, the old debate reignited - where does free speech end and censorship begin? Today, cybercriminals and propagandists have turned information itself into a weapon. Before we dive deeper, let’s sort out the basics.
Misinformation is simply wrong information - usually shared in good faith. A friend might pass along a “fact” they believe, but it turns out to be false.
Disinformation is deliberate deception. Here, the goal is to mislead.
Malinformation often starts with truth but gets twisted, exaggerated, or stripped of context to cause harm.
For simplicity: I’ll use misinformation for falsehoods in general, and disinformation when the falsehood is intentional.
Experts point to six common types of misinformation - and they pop up everywhere, not just in politics:
Real Content in the Wrong Context.
A genuine photo or video used misleadingly - like scammers slapping a celebrity’s face onto fake product ads.
Imposter Sites.
Copycat websites posing as real brands or news outlets. Remember the fake Eli Lilly Twitter account that claimed insulin was free? Their stock dropped 4% in hours.
Fake News Outlets.
Entirely fabricated “media” brands that look credible but exist only to push an agenda.
Purely Fake Information.
Straight-up lies - like companies inventing fake employees to seem more legitimate.
Manipulated Content.
Genuine material that’s been edited or sensationalized - clickbait headlines, cropped videos, or doctored images.
Parody That Gets Out of Hand.
Jokes or satire that later get reused (or abused) as “evidence” by bad actors.
Information warfare is real - but staying safe doesn’t have to be complicated. A few good habits make all the difference:
Question the sensational. If it feels “too wild to be true,” double-check.
Check the source. Is it a reputable outlet or some random site with an agenda?
Stay updated. Know the latest scams and tactics so they don’t catch you off guard.
Talk it out. Share examples and experiences with your team - collective wisdom is powerful.
Don’t be a spreader. Verify before reposting. A slick website or thousands of followers doesn’t equal credibility.
Misinformation and disinformation aren’t going anywhere. But as leaders and everyday media consumers, we can fight back. By fostering awareness, encouraging skepticism, and promoting open conversation, we make it harder for manipulators to win.
Because the more clearly we can tell fact from fake, the less power falsehoods have over us.
Auteur Perry Carpenter