Evaluating Information: Mis & Dis-Information

Misinformation and disinformation involve the sharing of bad or debunked information. Intents and purposes vary.

MIS-information

• False or out-of-context information presented as fact
• Spread whether or not there is an intention to mislead

DIS-information

• A type of misinformation
• Intentionally false, biased or manipulated facts or stories; propaganda
• Intended to mislead or deceive

from: Meira Gebel, "Misinformation vs. disinformation: What to know about each form of false information, and how to spot them online." Business Insider, January 25, 2021, https://www.businessinsider.com/misinformation-vs-disinformation. 

Deepfakes are a recent phenomenon in the realm of fake news and disinformation. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary deepfake refers to video or audio edited using algorithms or artificial intelligence to replace the original person in the medium with someone else, especially a well-known public figure, making the video feel authentic.

SIFT (The Four Moves)

Use the SIFT method from Mike Caulfield to separate fact from fake when reading websites and other media.

STOP

• Do you know the source of the information?
• What is its reputation?
• For deeper research, verify the information.

INVESTIGATE

• Know what you're reading.
• Where is it from? Biases, point of view?

FIND TRUSTED COVERAGE

• Understand the context of the information.
• Find the best source on the subject.

TRACE CLAIMS

• Trace claims, quotes or media back to its original context.
• Was the source you read/viewed an accurate depiction of the original?

from Mike Caulfield, Hapgood, June 19, 2019, https://hapgood.us/2019/06/19/sift-the-four-moves/.