Use this section of the guide to help you learn how to recognize 10 different types of misleading news and how each type is defined.
Why don't we keep calling it ‘Fake News?'
Many are moving away from the term fake news because it oversimplifies a complex issue. Not only has the phrase been weaponized to discredit mainstream media, but it also creates a false binary between “real” and “fake” news, ignoring the gray areas of misleading or incomplete information. By using misleading news instead, we acknowledge the importance of nuance and the varied ways information can misinform or mislead audiences.
With that in mind, here are 10 types of misleading news.
| Propaganda Propaganda is information that is spread to further a cause, idea or to do damage to a cause or idea. It is not objective. Propaganda, advertising and also public relations share similar traits by appealing the audience’s emotions. |
Partisan News Partisan news is content that strongly favors a specific political party, ideology, or agenda, often presenting information in a biased or one-sided way. While it may include factual reporting, it selectively emphasizes certain details or frames stories to align with its perspective, potentially omitting or downplaying opposing viewpoints. This can mislead audiences by presenting a distorted or incomplete picture of an issue, reinforcing echo chambers and polarizing public opinion. |
| Clickbait Clickbait’s main purpose is to pique peoples’ interest enough to click through to the content as a method of increasing ad revenue. Once the reader is there, the content rarely satisfies their interest. |
Conspiracy Theory A conspiracy theory is a claim or belief that events or situations are secretly being manipulated behind the scenes, often by powerful individuals or groups with hidden motives. Even after being debunked, conspiracy theories often persist, gaining new life through sub-theories that rely on the original claim being true. Some have been the subject of big-budget documentaries, further amplifying their reach. While a few conspiracy theories have turned out to be true or partially true, these are rare exceptions that highlight the overwhelming tendency of such theories to mislead and fuel distrust. |
| Sponsored content Sponsored content is often content that is created by a company who paid money to the publication. It is content that is designed to match the format, style, and tone of the platform where it appears. Unlike traditional advertisements, sponsored content blends seamlessly with editorial content, often resembling articles, videos, or social media posts created by the platform's own contributors. |
Pseudoscience Pseudoscience shares much in common with conspiracy theories, however, it often the ‘science’ used to back up the theory rather than the theory itself. Topics that relate to both conspiracy theory and pseudoscience concern the anti-vaccination movement, climate change denial, chemtrails, flat earther theories, intelligent design and much more. |
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Satire and Hoax A hoax is deliberately false information created to mislead or trick people. Unlike satire, hoaxes are not intended as humor or commentary; they aim to deceive for personal gain, financial profit, or to spread confusion or harm. Hoaxes often exploit emotions and may mimic credible sources to appear legitimate. |
Misinformation Misinformation is Information that is misleading, erroneous or false. Misinformation is generally shared — and sometimes created — by people who are unaware that it’s inaccurate. In contrast, disinformation is false information deliberately and often covertly spread in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. |
| Errors Errors occur when a news organization unintentionally publishes incorrect information due to mistakes in reporting, editing, or fact-checking. These are not deliberate acts of misinformation but rather human errors in the journalistic process. Credible news outlets typically acknowledge such mistakes by issuing corrections or updates, demonstrating accountability and a commitment to accuracy. While errors can contribute to misinformation if left uncorrected, transparency about the correction process helps maintain trust with the audience. |
Bogus news Bogus news is news that is completely fabricated. Unlike errors or satire, which may involve some unintentional or humorous misrepresentation, bogus news is intentionally false from start to finish. It often mimics the appearance of legitimate news to gain credibility, using sensational headlines or emotionally charged content to drive clicks, shares, or manipulate public opinion. Its primary purpose may be financial profit through ad revenue, political influence, or spreading propaganda. |
Source: EAVI Media Literacy for Citizenship
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