Misinformation: The Basics

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 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.

Justin P. McBrayer is Professor Emeritus and Director of University Partnerships at Heterodox Academy. He works in social epistemology and ethics and has published Beyond Fake News (2021). He has written for The Dallas News, Denver Post, New York Times, Orlando Sentinel, and Philosophy Now.