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What disinformation is and how to recognise it

Disinformation threatens our democracy. But what actually is disinformation and how can it be recognised and combated? Our practical checklist helps you to recognise disinformation. A comprehensive overview provides links to fact checks and further information, such as tips and materials for parents, teachers, children, young people and senior citizens, as well as games and podcasts on the topic.

Desinformation erkennen

Disinformation is not a new phenomenon and also exists in the analogue world. However, disinformation spreads particularly quickly on the internet, in social media and messenger services. In addition to the definition of disinformation, we provide a helpful guide on how to recognise disinformation. A collection of links offers extensive tips and information options for different target groups, including numerous fact checks.

Definition: What is disinformation?

Disinformation is fake or manipulated information or content that is deliberately disseminated in order to influence public opinion. This can involve texts, photos, videos or sound.

According to the German government, the deliberate intention to deceive is the main difference that distinguishes disinformation from misinformation such as satire, clickbaiting or accidental false reports (Federal Government 2023).

The spectrum of disinformation is very broad and can range from seemingly serious news reporting to memes, chain letters and deepfakes, and we encounter it on all digital channels, including websites, social media platforms, messenger services, forums and games chats. Disinformation often triggers strong feelings such as fear, insecurity or anger. The content in question can be fictitious, taken out of context or deliberately misinterpreted (Federal Government 2023). Disinformation can be based on economic or political motives.

Combating disinformation – protecting democracy

Disinformation threatens our democracy. The aim of disinformation is to bring about systematic destabilisation. If public discourse in the media is distorted by disinformation, this leads to a loss of trust in information. A free formation of opinion is then no longer possible and democracy is destabilised as a result. Combating disinformation is a major challenge, as freedom of opinion – i.e. the formation, expression and dissemination of opinion – must be protected at the same time. Only if information is freely accessible and factually correct can every citizen exercise their right to vote in an informed manner.

Everyone can stop disinformation by critically scrutinising content, checking sources and, if in doubt, not forwarding or sharing questionable content. Our checklist and link tips are designed to help.

Checklist for recognising disinformation: Five tips

1. Critically scrutinise

Recognising disinformation is not always easy. This makes it all the more important to critically scrutinise and check content. The first important step is therefore to pause and not forward, share or like questionable information too hastily in order to avoid giving it even more reach.

A first indication of disinformation could be that the content uses lurid language that evokes strong emotions such as outrage, fear or disgust.

2. Evaluate the source of information or authorship

  • Who wrote, published or distributed the content? Can his or her qualification for the topic be verified by a search engine search, for example?
  • Does the page, the account, the sender or the sender appear reputable? Is there a (complete) legal notice and who is named in it? Clear names of contact persons and a complete address can be signs of seriousness.
  • How long has the social media profile been active and how many followers does it have?
  • How credible are the other posts on the page or profile?

3. Examine content and facts

  • Is the date of the content current? How do other media report on the topic and is there additional information? Is the text reproduced in the correct context?
  • Is lurid language used or has it been formulated objectively? Are there many spelling mistakes?
  • Is the reporting balanced or is only one side presented?
  • Is it clear whether it is a matter of opinion or proven facts? Are reliable sources named and can they be found?
  • Which other pages are linked to?

4. Use fact checks

If in doubt, use tools that help to recognise disinformation, e.g. fact checks (see below).

5. Check images and videos

  • What can be seen in the image or video? Is the image or video up to date?
  • Where else is the image or video being used? Is it used in a different context?
  • Do the people appear natural (movements, voice, proportions)? Is the background coherent (sharpness, shadows, colours, brightness)?
  • Has the image or video been altered? A reverse search helps to find out the origin of an image or video: enter the URL of the image into the search engine. The results will show where the image has appeared. For example, you can check the author or find out whether the image is current or has been edited, or alternatively use the Amnesty International online tool (see below).

Fact checks at a glance

Current figures on the topic of disinformation (in German)

Further information and materials on disinformation (in German)

General information about disinformation

Information for teachers and parents

  • The Bavarian Media Driving Licence offers educators and teachers free material to help children, teenagers and young adults become fit for a conscious use of digital media (LINK)
  • Teaching materials, toolboxes and practical applications for teachers and educational professionals (LINK)
  • The Bavarian Media Education Experts Network provides free media education experts for face-to-face or online events, including on the topic of disinformation (LINK)
  • Disinformation and opinion from deepfakes to fake news – information and tips for parents and teachers from klicksafe (LINK)
  • Teaching unit Recognising fakes and disinformation online – media education for secondary schools from BR (LINK)
  • Teaching unit on the topic of disinformation online by DigiBits, a project by Deutschland sicher im Netz (LINK)
  • The Library Media Education Network offers information and tips on various topics such as fake news for media education work in libraries (LINK)
  • Digital self-test to test your skills in dealing with news on the internet: Take the digital news test from the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg/ Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung/ bpb / Landesanstalt für Medien NRW (LINK)

Information for children and young people

  • “Frag Zebra” from the NRW Media Authority provides information on all aspects of media. It also provides comprehensive answers to all questions about digital media via WhatsApp, Instagram, email and chat (LINK)
  • JUUUPORT, non-profit online counselling platform for young people: anonymous advice, reporting centre, guide and news on topics such as disinformation and fake news, deepfakes, cyberbullying, etc. (LINK)
  • Internet-ABC e. V., to which the media authorities in Germany belong, makes children, parents and teachers fit for the opportunities and challenges of the internet (LINK)
  • The Fake News Check app from Neue Wege des Lernens e. V. can help pupils recognise fake news online (LINK)

Information for older people

  • The Digital Angel of the “Deutschland sicher im Netz” initiative advises and educates citizens on the topic of disinformation, including with the help of explanatory videos and educational programmes, but also with consultation on site (LINK)

Games: Playfully recognise fake news

For children:

  • Fakefinder from SWR (LINK)

For teenagers and young adults:

  • Fakt oder Fake, the fake news quiz by Handysektor (LINK)
  • Fact 2 & Fakes 2 educational game: Browser-based game that teaches basic skills for evaluating sources. Awarded 1st place at the TOMMI German Children’s Software Prize, available free of charge in the Google and Apple app stores (LINK)
  • FakeFilter is a web video project by the Federal Agency for Civic Education together with YouTuber Philipp Betz alias MrTrashpack on the topic of fake news (LINK)

Podcasts

  • BSI – Federal Office for Information Security – Podcast “Update available” #43: Disinformation and elections – the fact check (LINK)
  • Influencing elections – How campaigns sow doubt with disinformation. Background | Deutschlandfunk (LINK)
  • Fake news in the voting booth – What effect does disinformation have on voters? To the point | SZ (LINK)
  • Disinformation: Russia’s hybrid war – The topic | SZ (LINK)
  • Disinformation and democracy – D for Digital. The podcast from DiFü (LINK)
  • On disinformation as a challenge in times of crisis with Christiane Hoffmann, Caroline Lindekamp and Achim Rettinger | HoPcast (LINK)

Vivien Lingelbach

Science Communication Manager, bidt