Remember, Disinformation is “false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth”1
It is not benign. Other countries like Russia use disinformation campaigns on social media to create discord within the country and impact elections.2 That's why -- especially if you are a voter -- it's important to understand how to evaluate sources of information you find. Disinformation is not limited to elections -- for example, Russia is trying to spread disinformation about the COVID-19 virus.3
The prevalence of disinformation and misinformation requires one to know how to evaluate the information they find and be smart about where they access information in the first place.
1. Disinformation (n.d.). In Merriam –Webster dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinformation
2. Cornish, A. (2020, February 21). How Russia and other foreign actors sow disinformation in elections [Radio broadcast transcript]. All Things Considered. https://www.npr.org/2020/02/21/808275155/how-russia-and-other-foreign-actors-sow-disinformation-in-elections
3. The World. (2020, March 19). Russia is trying to spread a viral disinformation campaign​. https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-03-19/russia-trying-spread-viral-disinformation-campaign
 