The Economist explains

The vocabulary of disinformation

From AI-generated news to verification

A collage illustration showing a mouth with two black shapes representing distorted speech bubbles.
Illustration: Anthony Gerace

THE WORDS disinformation and misinformation are often used interchangeably. But there is a subtle difference in their meaning. Disinformation is when false information is spread with the intent to deceive, often as part of a co-ordinated campaign. Misinformation is when false information is unintentionally spread, for instance by repeating a rumour to a friend or reposting an unsubstantiated claim on a social-media platform.

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From the May 4th 2024 edition

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