Types of Fake News
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There are many forms of Fake News existing online categorised dependent on the intention of the author, how the content was manipulated, and if there was any information fabricated.
Before explaining them, media consumers should note the difference between misinformation and disinformation.
Misinformation: Unknowingly presenting false or inaccurate information as fact.
Disinformation: Deliberately presenting inaccurate and false information to mislead an audience.
Generally misinformation can be spread unknowingly, while disinformation is intended on deceiving an audience.
This guide will expand on the '7 types of misinformation and disinformation' provided by First Draft News (Wardle, 2020).
Satirical Content
Some satirical publications post articles which are fabricated, but are only intended for humour or jokes. Waterford Whispers is a prominent example of this in Ireland who post articles daily and are entirely transparent they are satire.
This form of disinformation is less harmful to users as it is created for comedic purposes rather than encouraging an ideology or political agenda. Regardless these publications can fool an audience who are unaware it is a parody.
Example Waterford Whispers article.
False Connections
This common Fake News approach deceives an audience using exaggerated or false headlines which do not support the content, sometimes referred to as 'clickbait'.
Daily Berries article with misleading headline.
One article released in 2017 by the Daily Berries claims the 'Lost City' of Heracelion was recently discovered by Egyptian divers. Although the context of this story is correct, the headline exaggerates the recency of this discovery as in reality, it was found in 2000 (LaCapria, 2017).
This type of disinformation attempts to exaggerate their headline, gaining more impressions for their article.
Misleading Content
This type of Fake News can typically see quotes or statistics being presented in a misleading fashion. Quotes may be taken out of context or framed in a different manor than intended by the original speaker.
Some graphs might also attempt to visually distort the data.
For example, one graph uploaded by the New York Times Magazine gives the visual impression (by the gavels) Donald Trump had significantly more appellate judgeships reversed in his first term, although the figures are much closer to each other in reality.
This can be an example of disinformation or misinformation. The graphic mentioned may have been created as intentionally deceptive or was poor design.
False Context
Rather than referring to clickbait headlines, this type of Fake News attempts to provide genuine content a false context.
Video of the supposed 'ghost of Kyiv'.
Following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a video circulated dubbing a fighter pilot the 'ghost of Kyiv' attacking multiple Russian aircrafts. In reality, this footage was taken from a video game released in 2008 (Evon, 2022).
It's possible these stories could be intentionally misrepresented, for example to share urban-legends to intimidate the Russian forces. It may have also been shared unknowingly, unaware the clip was from another source.
Imposter Content
One of the more deceptive types of Fake News can be seen when existing publications are impersonated to spread scams or false information.
The BBC are frequently impersonated by websites with fake domains, in one case being used to promote a bitcoin scam.
This channel for disinformation can be especially harmful, damaging the creditability of existing publications.
Fake BBC Website presenting bitcoin scam.
Manipulated Content
Manipulated information takes genuine information or images and alters them as a direct attempt to deceive an audience.
Manipulated photo of police arrest in Arizona (top) using two existing images (below).
One post circulating online photoshopped a stock photo of an Immigrant and Customs Enforcer into an image of people in line at an election station. As mentioned in the caption, the story attempted to convince people that these officers were arresting people at voting boots (Wardle, 2020).
This type of disinformation can be especially dangerous with the rise of new AI and DeepFake technology which can manipulate content to suit particular agendas.
Fabricated Content
This is debatably the most dangerous type of Fake News as this content is entirely fabricated and false.
This can be seen with the article of Pope Francis endorsing Donald Trump for President, an article created by WTOE 5 News as a fake story. This type of news is especially harmful, spreading incorrect information to suit the writer's ideology or for financial incentives.
It is therefore important to take preventative measures to detect Fake News when it emerges. For more information, see the page on How to Identify Fake News.
Reference List
Reference List
BBC (2019) Fake BBC Website [image] available: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46905475 [accessed 17 April 2024]
Evon, D. (2022) 'Is This 'Ghost of Kyiv' Video Real?', Snopes, 25 Feb, available: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/is-this-ghost-of-kyiv-video-real/ [accessed 17 April 2024]
LaCapria, K. (2017) 'Did Divers Just Uncover the 'Lost City' of Heracleion?', Snopes, 16 Oct, available: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lost-city-of-thonis-heracleion-repurposed-clickbait/ [accessed 17 April 2024]
The New York Times Magazine (2018) Appellate Judgeships Confirmed During First Congressional Term [image] available: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/magazine/trump-remaking-courts-judiciary.html [accessed 17 April 2024]
Wardle, C. (2020) 'Understanding Information disorder', First Draft News, 22 Sep, available: https://firstdraftnews.org/long-form-article/understanding-information-disorder/ [accessed 17 April 2024]
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