The Impact of Disinformation on Society

Disinformation poses a significant threat to society, often leading to violence and societal disruption. For instance, climate scientists frequently face threats and online abuse as a direct consequence of misinformation campaigns, highlighting a disturbing trend where accurate science is met with hostility. The tactics of misinformation often exploit emotional triggers, creating compelling narratives with clear 'villains' and 'heroes' that resonate with people's grievances. Understanding the distinction between misinformation, which is false or misleading, and disinformation, which is intentionally harmful, is crucial in recognizing the dangers they present.