Misinformation & Disinformation - What You Need To Know

Misinformation & Disinformation - What You Need To Know

green background, purple letters spell Fact or Fact
Type: 
News

What Are Misinformation and Disinformation? 

Misinformation: Inadvertently sharing false information without the intent to harm. 

Example: Your sister says that the latest local bill will raise taxes because that’s what she heard from a trusted friend. 

Disinformation: Intentionally sharing false information with the intent to harm. 

Example: Your sister lies that the latest local bill will raises taxes because she knows that’s the only way you won’t support it.

It’s important to combat mis- and disinformation as it threatens harm to online and in-person communities.  We want to make sure the information we base our votes on is factual, but how to tell?  The LWV's Democracy Truth Project aims to strengthen democracy and restore trust in the electoral process by combating mis- and disinformation.

For trusted election information, read California Secretary of State's Trusted Information page.
 
Para obtener information electoral confiable, lea la pagina de la Secretaria de Estado de California.

 

Fact-finding Resources in English

Non-partisan fact checking organizations verify information. Many of them focus on political issues. Snopes and Reuters verify many types of news content. 

Recursos de Investigación en Español

 In 2018, our local League, along with Hancock College, Fund for Santa Barbara and the Santa Maria Times, sponsored a forum on media literacy at Hancock College where five panelists — two Hancock college staff members and three working journalists — spoke about the rise of fake news and how it impacts our city, our country, and our democracy.

WATCH OUR FORUM VIDEO

League to which this content belongs: 
North Santa Barbara County