This book introduces readers to the topic of misinformation. In recent years, many people have become worried about fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and the like. Is this concern justified or a moral panic over nothing? Misinformation: The Basics provides readers with a short, accessible introduction to the topic and includes chapters answering the following questions:

• What is misinformation?
• Why is there so much more misinformation nowadays?
• Why are we in a misinformation crisis—is it the result of sabotage or market forces?
• How is misinformation harmful?
• What can we do to solve the misinformation problem?

With a glossary of key terms, suggestions for further reading, and lesson plans for teachers and reading groups, Misinformation: The Basics is an ideal starting point for audiences interested in the study of news and information.

Key Features

• Covers a wide range of misinformation, from fake news and disinformation to deepfakes and memes
• Offers an interdisciplinary evaluation of misinformation, drawing on work in philosophy, economics, psychology, and media studies
• Clearly sets out the role that technology like social media, smartphones, and the internet played in the rise of a digital, interconnected media landscape.