{"id":984,"date":"2022-09-21T16:50:12","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T15:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mediadefence.org\/ereader\/?post_type=publication&p=984"},"modified":"2022-09-22T11:11:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T10:11:59","slug":"misinformation-disinformation-and-mal-information","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/www.mediadefence.org\/ereader\/publications\/modules-on-litigating-freedom-of-expression-and-digital-rights-in-south-and-southeast-asia\/module-8-false-news-misinformation-and-propaganda\/misinformation-disinformation-and-mal-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Misinformation, Disinformation and Mal-information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Problem Statement<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Misinformation is anathema to quality of journalism and the circulation of trustworthy information which complies with professional standards and ethics.[footnote]UNESCO, \u2018Journalism, Fake News & Disinformation\u2019 (2018) at p.18 (accessible at <\/a>https:\/\/en.unesco.org\/sites\/default\/files\/journalism_fake_news_disinformation_print_friendly_0.pdf<\/a>.[\/footnote] However, dis- and misinformation are not new but rather have become increasingly prevalent as they are fuelled by new technologies and rapid online dissemination of communications.  The consequence is that digitally\u2011fuelled dis- and misinformation, especially in contexts of polarisation, risks eclipsing quality journalism, and the truth.[footnote]Id<\/em>.[\/footnote]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasingly, the strategies to combat dis- and misinformation are more social, educational and technical in their character in order to ensure that the right to freedom of expression is not violated by over-broad legislative provisions which criminalise this sort of speech.  Addressing the dis- and misinformation ecosystem, therefore, requires a critical assessment of the reasons for the dissemination of this sort of content and the establishment of MIL campaigns.[footnote]Id<\/em> at p. 70.[\/footnote] In effect, combatting dis- and misinformation, at this stage, falls more within the realm of advocacy and education than it does litigation.  The limited litigation in this space bears testament to this.  However, this is likely to change as digital rights litigators engage in more strategic and test case litigation seeking to mitigate dis- and misinformation while protecting and promoting freedom of expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n
Defining false information<\/span><\/th>\n <\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Disinformation<\/td>\n Disinformation is information that is false, and the person who is disseminating it knows it is false. \u201cIt is a deliberate, intentional lie, and points to people being actively disinformed by malicious actors\u201d.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Misinformation<\/td>\n Misinformation is information that is false, but the person who is disseminating it believes that it is true.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Mal-information<\/td>\n Mal-information is information that is based on reality but it is used to inflict harm on a person, organisation or country.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n

Causes of dis- and misinformation<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To understand how to combat dis- and misinformation, it is useful to first understand how it spreads.  With the advent of the information age and the internet, information is spread more rapidly, often with the click of a mouse.[footnote]Id<\/em> at p.55.[\/footnote] Equally, the speed at which information is transmitted and the instant access to information which the internet provides has caused a rush to be the first to publish information, as well as the often thoughtless retransmission or promotion of the statements of others.  This, alongside more insidious practices such as the intentional distribution of disinformation for economic or political gain, has created what the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO<\/a>) refers to as a \u201cperfect storm\u201d.[footnote]Id<\/em>.[\/footnote]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNESCO identifies three causes enabling the spread of dis- and misinformation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n