Disinformation

disinformation

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/disinformation

Pronunciation: /ˌdɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/

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Definition of disinformation

noun

[mass noun]

false information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media: the entire Western intelligence system had been systematically manipulated with clever disinformation[as modifier]:a government inspired disinformation campaign

Origin: 1950s: formed on the pattern of Russian dezinformatsiya

disinformation in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of disinformation in the dictionary US English

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinformation

disinformation

dis·in·for·ma·tion

noun \(ˌ)dis-ˌin-fər-ˈmā-shən\

Definition of DISINFORMATION

: false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth

Examples of DISINFORMATION

The government used disinformation to gain support for the policy.

First Known Use of DISINFORMATION – 1939

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disinformation

Disinformation is intentionally false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately. For this reason, it is synonymous with and sometimes called black propaganda. It is an act of deception and false statements to convince someone of untruth. Disinformation should not be confused with misinformation, information that is unintentionally false.

Unlike traditional propaganda techniques designed to engage emotional support, disinformation is designed to manipulate the audience at the rational level by either discrediting conflicting information or supporting false conclusions. A common disinformation tactic is to mix some truth and observation with false conclusions and lies, or to reveal part of the truth while presenting it as the whole (a limited hangout).

Another technique of concealing facts, or censorship, is also used if the group can affect such control. When channels of information cannot be completely closed, they can be rendered useless by filling them with disinformation, effectively lowering their signal-to-noise ratio and discrediting the opposition by association with many easily disproved false claims.

In espionage or military intelligence, disinformation is the deliberate spreading of false information to mislead an enemy as to one's position or course of action. In politics, disinformation is the deliberate attempt to deflect voter support of an opponent, disseminating false statements of innuendo based on the candidates vulnerabilities as revealed byopposition research. In both cases, it also includes the distortion of true information in such a way as to render it useless.

Disinformation may include distribution of forged documents, manuscripts, and photographs, or spreading malicious rumors and fabricated intelligence. Its techniques may also be found in commerce and government, used to try to undermine the position of a competitor.

Media

Conspiracy theorists often accuse governments of spreading disinformation in a "war for your mind", but also sometimes accuse each other of being "disinformation agents". One publishing company The Disinformation Company actually focuses on current affairs seeking to expose disinformation. It has been involved in television series, conferences and books. Its website collects "the most shocking, unusual and quirkiest news articles, podcasts and videos on the web" mostly submitted by site visitors.