Understanding Misinformation and Fake News

This is the spreading of information or rumors for the purpose of helping or injuring an organization, a cause, or a person.

• Terrorism

• Propaganda

• Extremism

This contains facts that are wrong or inaccurate but may contain some truthful information taken out of context.

• Misinformation

• Disinformation

This contains false information which is deliberately intended to mislead; it is intentionally misstating the facts.

• Misinformation

• Disinformation

This is a type of disinformation that is designed to look like real news, but it consists of false information.

• Fake News

• Sponsored Content

• Clickbait

This is news that is misleading, it may be about a real news event, but the facts are often manipulated to fit an agenda.

• Fake News

• Highly Partisan News

• Clickbait

Why do people often spread fake news and misinformation?

• They don’t realize that it’s false or misleading.

• They want more followers on social media.

• They want to spread rumors and lies.

This is a shocking headline that tricks you into clicking for more information.

• Fake News

• Highly Partisan News

• Clickbait

This is content that looks like news or official information but is actually marketing or advertising materials.

• Fake News

• Sponsored Content

• Clickbait

They are paid to communicate with their social media followers on behalf of a brand or product.

• Teachers

• Police Officers

• Influencers

This doesn’t pretend to be real; its purpose is to be entertaining.

• Satire

• Metaphor

• Allusion