Blog Post for Module #5

                                                     

Module #5 Misinformation and Disinformation in Digital Media

Blog Post by Iffet Secil Kinsan

Social media has transformed how information is produced, shared, and trusted, but it has also blurred the line between reliable content and falsehoods. A recent TikTok example illustrates how misinformation and disinformation operate in digital media. In the video, an influencer promotes a “how to smell good” routine by applying a product that is meant to be rinsed off, followed by perfume. Another influencer responds, warning that leaving such a product on the skin can cause severe irritation or acne, suggesting that the original content may have been staged for promotional purposes.

This case highlights the distinction between misinformation and disinformation. If the influencer unknowingly shared incorrect usage, it constitutes misinformation. However, if the content was intentionally misleading to increase product sales, it aligns more closely with disinformation. As Lim et al. (2024) define, fake news consists of “news articles that are intentionally and verifiably false and could mislead readers” (p. 659), indicating that intent plays a key role in distinguishing these categories.

The rapid spread of such content is amplified by platform algorithms that prioritize engagement over accuracy. Social media environments encourage the viral circulation of misleading content, where “falsehoods spread faster than the truth” (Lim et al., 2024, p. 660). Moreover, misinformation functions in ways similar to contagion, as it “is analogous to a virus that can infect people and spread within networks” (Shin, 2024, p. 5), highlighting how easily such content can circulate across digital platforms. TikTok’s recommendation system promotes visually appealing and easily consumable content, creating echo chambers where misleading practices can quickly normalize.

Psychological factors also play a crucial role. Audiences often perceive influencers as authentic and trustworthy, which reduces critical evaluation. Social proof, such as likes and comments, reinforces credibility and encourages users to replicate and share content without verification.

From a broader perspective, this example can also be understood through the lens of Michel Foucault (1978). Influencers do not merely promote products; they shape how individuals manage and discipline their bodies. In this sense, digital media becomes a space where power operates through everyday practices, guiding behavior in ways that may prioritize commercial gain over well-being.

To combat such issues, users must adopt fact-checking strategies, such as verifying product instructions, consulting reliable sources, and questioning sponsored content. Ultimately, improving digital literacy is essential to resisting the spread of misinformation and disinformation in online environments.

Finally, the accompanying image, generated with the assistance of ChatGPT, visually reinforces the main argument of this reflection by showing how misinformation and, in some cases, disinformation on social media can be packaged as attractive, trustworthy, and profitable content. It also highlights the role of digital platforms in amplifying misleading messages while making fact-checking and critical thinking more necessary.

Foucault, M. (1978). The history of sexuality, volume 1: An introduction. Pantheon Books.

Lim, X.-J., Quach, S., Thaichon, P., Cheah, J.-H., & Ting, H. (2024). Fact or fake: Information, misinformation and disinformation via social media. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 32(5), 659-664. 

Shin, D. (2024). Artificial misinformation: Exploring human-algorithm interaction online. Springer.