The Dangers Of Disinformation

     

In today's world, the way we intake our news looks extremely different from how it was distributed in fifty years ago. Americans would wake up, read their newspapers, turn on news on the radio, and go about their day. Today, news is absolutely anywhere we look. While scrolling through timelines on social media, we are distributed mass amounts of information on countless topics; broadening citizen's knowledge- or is it hurting it. The spread of disinformation has affected societies ability to improve public health, address climate change, maintain a stable democracy, and trust government officials. One of the key characteristics to look out for while trying to identify disinformation is deceptive intent- which is purposely intended to mislead, typically rooted in political, ideological, or economic interests. 

    Knowing what disinformation is, can help us decipher between the big MDM.

MDM stands for Misinformation, Disinformation, and Malformation. These are called information disorders. Information Disorder Syndrome is the intent to spread false information with or without intent to harm someone. it is categorized into three grades. Misinformation is information not intending to cause harm, disinformation is false information that is intended to manipulate, cause damage, or guide people and organizations in the wrong direction. Finally we have malformation, this information stems from the truth but is often exaggerated in a way that misleads and causes potential harm to those a part of it. As no one in particular is in "charge" of deciding what is harmful information or not, knowing these types of information disorders can lead to a smarter society and expand critical thinking, something very much needed in todays age of information releases.  Disinformation's manipulation of info not only deceives, but also undermines trust. It acts as a cohesive force, eroding faith in scientists, institutions, and creating a division within communities. It poses a threat to our nation, as experts urge the public to actually read into the issues that news outlets are manipulating with. I can not personally think of any good that comes from the spread of false information. It is incredibly damaging to the young minds of our generation that are falsely being molded for gain of a higher power in society. 

   

As society is becoming more divided, there is a risk that individuals may becomes selective in their acceptance of information based on their pre-existing beliefs. Documentation must strive to present an objective and unbiased view of facts to bridge societies divide; this would inherently build the transparency and trust back into the American people, along with citizens internationally who pose the same threat. This is a worldwide issue- not just an American one. Without fact checks or access to unbiased and true information without the spread of fear mongering- readers or listeners are impacted by the information, playing a role in their future choices, opinions, and decisions. The spread of disinformation affects people of all economic levels, sexualities, generations, races, and more. As the rise of disinformation continues, understanding the nuances of these information disorders is essential for developing effective countermeasures and fostering informed communities.