What is Fake News and
​Mis-information?

News can help shape our views, opinions, and attitudes, so it is important to be able to trust what you read, and to make your own judgements about events and stories covered in the media.
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Misinformation, sometimes known as ‘fake news’, is when someone creates a false story or account of an event, about a person or social group. Misinformation is not created with the intent to cause harm or to stir up hatred against a person or group – this is called disinformation. The main thing to remember here is that misinformation isn’t deliberate – it’s not created intentionally to deceive other people. It’s when real events, facts or news have been taken out of context without realising, or when someone accidentally gives the wrong information.

Disinformation, on the other hand, is deliberate. It is created intentionally to mislead, often to influence public opinion or damage the reputation of an individual or group. For example, a false news story may be written to stir up fear, create political division, or encourage people to act in a certain way. Disinformation aims to create a false perception of reality in order to influence others.

Closely linked to disinformation are conspiracy theories. These are explanations for events that reject official or widely accepted accounts, instead suggesting that powerful people or organisations are secretly controlling events for their own benefit. Conspiracy theories often rely on disinformation and selective use of evidence. They can be especially harmful because they play on people’s fears, mistrust, and emotions, encouraging them to believe false connections or hidden plots that do not exist.
Misinformation is a growing problem, especially in the online space. Thanks to social media, we have access to vast amounts of information – but with this comes the challenge of tackling fake news. Because videos about the news can be shared or liked so quickly on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, posts containing misinformation or conspiracy theories can easily spread.

How can you tell whether it is fake news?

• Are there signs of Photoshopping/altering of the original image?
• Can you find any other information to support the claims being made?
• Has the information come from a reliable source? Is this source known for producing trustworthy content? This can’t always be assumed, even when the source is relatively ‘mainstream’ – many mainstream sources such as tabloid newspapers are known for exaggerating or falsifying stories, then issuing ‘corrections’ later when there is less attention on the story.
• Is the information recent, or is an old story being reused to support a narrative that there is a certain problem happening now?
• Is the headline accurate? Sometimes misinformation has sensationalist or misleading headlines which don’t relate to or support the information in the article. This type of misinformation can be harmful and effective as many people will read the headline and form an opinion on that without reading the article.
• Is the article written using emotive language? This is usually a sign that the source is biased in some way, and is aiming to influence the views of the reader.
• Is a user/account online sharing stories selectively? For example, do they share news stories about crimes, but only when they are committed by people of a certain religion or ethnicity?
• Does the story rely heavily on conspiracy theories, secret plots, or hidden motives without clear, factual evidence? This is a warning sign that the story may not be credible.

What can you do if you see misinformation, disinformation, or conspiracy theories?

• Report it – this can help stop it from spreading further and being believed by others.
• Avoid sharing it – even if you disagree with the content, sharing it can still amplify false messages.
• Check reliable sources – fact-checking organisations, established news outlets, and trusted experts can help confirm or deny what you’ve seen.
• Talk about it – if you know someone who has been misled by misinformation or conspiracy theories, encourage open discussion and share trusted sources with them.

In today's fast-paced digital world, where news spreads quickly, it's important to stay alert. By recognising the signs of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, you can navigate the news more carefully and avoid being misled. Always take a moment to check the sources, verify the facts, and consider whether the story comes from a reliable place. Doing so helps create a more informed and honest media environment, where truth matters more than sensationalism.
Caroline Dulin