Editing Disinformation

'''Disinformation''', in the context of [[w:espionage]], [[w:military intelligence]], and [[w:propaganda]], is the spreading of deliberately false information to mislead an enemy as to one's position or course of action. It also includes the distortion of true information in such a way as to render it useless.

Disinformation techniques may also be found in commerce and government, used by one group, usually in the form of [[paid troll]]s, to try to undermine the position of a competitor. 

Unlike [[w:propaganda]] or the [[w:Big Lie]] technique designed to engage emotional support, disinformation is designed to manipulate the audience at the rational level by either discrediting conflicting information or supporting false conclusions. A third technique of concealing facts, or [[censorship]] is also used if the group can effect such control.  When channels of information cannot be completely closed, they can be rendered useless by filling them with disinformation, effectively lowering their [[w:signal-to-noise ratio]].

The [[w:Cold War]] made disinformation a recognized military and political tactic, though disinformation is generally more subtle and designed to remain unconscious to the target audience.

'''See also:'''
*[[Misinformation]]

{{fromwp}}