Monday, September 2, 2013

Misinformation and Disinformation

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The new issue of III Magazine is out.  We appreciate your support.

By definition, misinformation is inaccurate information relayed by a sincere source.  Disinformation is inaccurate information published with the intent of deceiving an intended audience (see future post PSYOP 201 due out next week).

One example of misinformation is a Patriot relaying information about CH-47s flying over Philadelphia as a part of a nefarious plot.  (As an aside, I was somehow added to a Facebook conversation of over a hundred people about some CH-47s flying over Philadelphia.  The individual who started the conversation wanted to alert everyone that “something was up”.  He was sincere if not idiotic.)  A major element of the message was rooted in fact.  I do believe that he saw some helicopters flying over Philly.  Unfortunately, his reactionary zeal caused a minor uproar that initiated an uproar from other gullible recipients.  The sad thing is that it happens all the time.

Disinformation, on the other hand, could be a form black propaganda.  Perhaps the individual in question worked for an adversarial organization, but probably not.

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