Misinformation & Disinformation
Ben from Traverse City asked
about the difference between disinformation and misinformation. Let’s start
with the base word information. Information is knowledge communicated about
some particular fact, subject, or event.
According to the Word Parts Dictionary, 2nd
ed., there are about 33 negative prefixes – variations on the concept of “not.”
Some of them simply signify the absence of something; they are not
judgmental. Some of them are pejorative or point to blame.
The prefix dis- carries more than a whiff of blame. It can signify that something was
deliberately withheld or manipulated. The word disinformation falls within that
realm. It signifies the dissemination of deliberately false information,
something practiced by many governments and all spy agencies.
The prefix mis- is neutral in its connotation. It signifies that something is
factually incorrect, but not because information was manipulated. Misinformation is inaccurate, but it is not an
attempt to deceive. People of goodwill will scramble to correct their mistake
when it is discovered. Dissemblers will continue to lie with a straight face to
protect their disinformation.
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