What is Disinformation

It seeks to weaponize information to spread fear, suspicion, and impact public trust in institutions. It is an act of polarisation that intentionally targets It is an act of polarisation that intentionally targets an ‘other’ to create division. Most critically, its intention is destabilising societies and fueling civil discord by targeting the legitimacy, authority, trust, and confidence in governments and institutions. 

Where misinformation is centred around in-group unification and bonding, through the telegraphing of shared beliefs, disinformation is premised on polarisation, destruction, and the targeting of an out-group. 

I created fraudulent infrastructure to facilitate sharing, and a backstory to make the information seem real and authoritative, in order to diminish the authority and legitimacy of other entities

— Candyce Kelshall

Disinformation Example: The Great Replacement Theory

A good example is ‘The Great Replacement.’ This theory gained significant traction on online platforms as a conspiracy theory that native populations of Western countries were purposefully being replaced by immigrants. 

It was alleged that governments, elites, and even global organisations were orchestrating mass migration and demographic changes to diminish the cultural, ethnic, or religious identity of a host country. The conspiracy promoted xenophobic, racist, and anti-immigrant sentiments. 

This is an example of disinformation as the conspiracy targeted a clearly identified ‘other’, sought to impact the publics’ trust and confidence in institutions and governments, and it was deliberately created and shared to deceive an audience.