Traditionally, television, radio, newspapers and magazine were the main channels for news. Lately the role of these media was undermined by digital and social media, and a series of uncertain sources that are capable to disseminate incorrect or partially true information. In the public opinion all of these (lies, rumors, hoaxes, misinformation, conspiracies and propaganda) are described as fake news, a simplistic term that hides important distinctions. Not only “true” versus “fake”, but many shades of misleading appearing also as memes, videos and social posts. The phenomenon in question is a part of the larger concept of disinformation, known as misinformation, that is to say the unintentional dissemination of inaccurate or completely false information. While disinformation is the deliberate dissemination of a false or inaccurate news to influence a population in a certain direction, researchers think that the most effective disinformation it is not fake but misleading. They observed a shift in tactics and techniques: not wholly fabricated stories, but reframed genuine content with hyperbolic headlines. Humans respond to emotional triggers and share misinformation if it reinforces beliefs and prejudices. Automation, micro-targeting and coordination fuel public opinion manipulation. Often, also emotive disinformation as satire it will not get picked up by fact-checking processes. In these efforts, context, rather than content, is being weaponized.
The result is intentional chaos. Understanding how, In a disordered information environment, each one of us is subject to such campaigns, and might unwittingly participate in them, may help to fight back against who seek to upend a sense of shared reality. Therefore it is fundamental to develop skills to navigate communication online as well as offline. The commitment of institutions in controlling disinformation is crucial to raise awareness and empower citizens on online disinformation that, if implemented and successful, may undermine the very concept of democracy. Factors such as education, access to technology, information overload and lack of attention to sources contribute to disinformation and misinformation. What regulations and methodologies should be implemented to ensure that citizens receive only certain information?
