
The deliberate manipulation of information, such as digitally altering an image or making up quotes. Though this type of misinformation is used in parody, it is also used for profit and propaganda purposes, such as by sites disguised to look like news organizations or using fake credentials. When genuine sources are impersonated in order to deceive the audience. This type of misinformation can still appear on news sites with poor fact-checking or opinion-based reporting, but is clearly driven by an agenda with an attempt to influence. Genuine content that is shared with false contextual information, such as an incorrect date or a misattributed quote. This can be caused by poor journalism or political influence, but is also caused by opinions being shared as news and the increasingly blurring line between the two. Misleading use of information to frame an issue or individual, especially one not involved in the story. Sometimes the cause is an honest mistake or poor journalism, but other times the false connections are deliberate to draw more attention. Stories with headlines, visuals, and captions that don’t support the content. If created without being an obvious parody, these types of articles can still fool readers and be shared as “real.” Online Misinformation From Least Intentional to MostĪrticles or videos created to mock or laugh at an issue. Others begin with the sole purpose of deception. Some start as opinions or jokes that become misunderstood, twisted over time, and eventually turn into misinformation.


Not all fake news is created equal, or even with the intent to deceive. In order to spot fake news, you have to know the many forms misinformation can take.
News source infographic how to#
With this in mind, we combined guidance from non-profit journalism project First Draft News and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions ( IFLA) to create this guide for understanding “fake news” and how to spot it. President Donald Trump to also refer to negative coverage (whether legitimate or misinformed), it seems more difficult than ever to separate trustworthy from misleading sources. However, the rise of social media as a hub for sharing articles has spread “fake news”-false or misleading information presented as legitimate news-all over the internet.įueled further by increasing polarization, as well as the use of the term by former U.S. “Fake news” used to be a relatively uncommon problem, but over the last decade, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing consumption of news and articles has caused misinformation to run wild.įar from a new concept, misinformation and cherry-picked stories have been used throughout history as a form of propaganda or information warfare.
