«Informatıon Dısorder» and Fake News
Abstract
Abstract. The article is devoted to topical issues of the contemporary information space and to the modern understanding of the phenomenon of false and/or harmful information. It is noted that a unified term for designating such information has not yet been established; therefore, most English-language scholars use the umbrella term «information disorder». The article reveals the substantive content of the concept of «information disorder». The substantive content of the concept of «information disorder» is revealed. It is shown that the phenomenon of information disorder is a side effect of the digital age. Particular attention is paid to the differentiation between information disorder and fake news. Based on an analysis of English-language literature, it is argued that the concept of «fake news» is an oxymoron, since in this meaning it undermines trust in the credibility of news as such. The article identifies the reasons for avoiding the use of the term «fake news» today: first, its widespread use in the political sphere to serve the interests of politicians and political parties; and second, its inability to encompass the entire range of false, fabricated, distorted, and manipulative information that exists in the information space. It is demonstrated that the concept of «information disorder» has a negative connotation, as it denotes information that, on the one hand, is capable of causing harm by shaping undesirable and dangerous views and beliefs among consumers, and, on the other hand, pollutes the information environment. The main reasons for the emergence of information disorder are identified, including the pursuit of political goals; achieving victory under conditions of open and covert aggression; the desire for financial gain; propaganda; the intention of satirists to entertain the audience or convey a particular message (sometimes combining both aspects); and the blurring of boundaries between news and entertainment content. Іnformation disorder spreads transterritorially due to the technological ease of copying, reposting, hyperlinking, and similar practices. The main types of inform disorder ation include disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. In the context of network warfare, contaminated information may be used as a form of information weapon to gain an advantage. The article also identifies effective and ineffective means and tools for countering information disorder.
Keywords: information; information disorder; harm; fake news; propaganda; disinformation; manipulation; narrative; security; national security.
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