MEDIA LITERACY AND DISINFORMATION. DEFINING NOTIONS

Abstract

The article sheds light on the various types of disinformation which over the years have proved to become a real obstacle to sound decision making due to the fact it is more and more difficult to tell real content from fake. Therefore, the article presents definitions and explains clearly terms such as information and disinformation, misinformation and mal-information. Along with that, it zooms into information content stressing upon the characteristics in its variety - misleading, imposed, manipulated, and fabricated. Lastly, it also tackles parody and satire. Concrete examples explaining the differences in the fake information types are given for a greater clarity and better understanding of the phenomenon under discussion. Much of the overall discourse of "fake news" carrying false and/or distorted information connects to three concepts: misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. By misinformation we mean false information that those who spread it believe to be true. By disinformation we will define false information that those spreading it, know it is false. While under malinformation we will understand dishonest information that is based on reality, but is used to harm a person, organization, institution, even a country.