Definitions and distinctions 1/2

Misinformation refers to false or misleading information shared without harmful intent. It is often the result of someone passing along incorrect data or a misunderstanding of facts. For instance, a person might incorrectly state that electric cars are more harmful to the environment than gasoline-powered vehicles because of outdated or inaccurate information they have come across. The intent behind sharing this might be benign, but the effect is still the spread of falsehoods.

On the other hand, disinformation is deliberately misleading or biased information spread with the intention to deceive. In the context of climate change, disinformation involves the intentional dissemination of false narratives, such as the claim that climate change is a hoax concocted by scientists to secure research funding. This is not just a mistake; it is a calculated attempt to distort the truth and influence public perception.

Read the fact check on the narrative “Climate change does not exist”