disinformers
Spreaders of lies
Disinformers are people who spread disinformation—false or misleading information intended to deceive.
The term implies deliberate intent rather than innocent error: Foreign disinformers flooded social media with fake stories.
Someone who unknowingly shares false information isn't a disinformer; they're just misinformed.
Spreaders of biased messaging
- fabricatorsCreators of falsehoods
- falsifiersThose who distort truth
- liarsTellers of falsehoods
- agitatorsThose who incite disturbance
provocateurs · trolls · bots · operatives · influencers · shills · hacks · pundits
Manipulation causing self-doubt
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
obfuscation · distortion · fabrication · falsification · framing · fearmongering · cherry-picking · astroturfing
Deliberate deception for effect
- lieDeliberate falsehood
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
forgery · counterfeit · sham · fraud · deceit · trickery · dupery · pretense
propagandists
Spreaders of biased messaging
- fabricatorsCreators of falsehoods
- falsifiersThose who distort truth
- liarsTellers of falsehoods
agitators · provocateurs · trolls · bots · operatives · influencers · shills · hacks · pundits · demagogues
gaslighting
Manipulation causing self-doubt
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
- indoctrinationSystematic uncritical belief instillation
misdirection · obfuscation · distortion · fabrication · falsification · framing · fearmongering · cherry-picking · astroturfing · brigading
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
- lieDeliberate falsehood
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
myth · forgery · counterfeit · sham · fraud · deceit · trickery · dupery · pretense · misrepresentation
social media
Online content-sharing platforms
- TwitterMicroblogging social network
- FacebookDominant social media platform
- TelegramEncrypted chat application
TikTok · YouTube · Reddit · WhatsApp · dark web · forums · blogs · state media · tabloids · networks
mislead
Cause false belief
- deceiveCause false belief
- manipulateControl through clever influence
- distortTwist from original form
fabricate · falsify · dupe · hoodwink · beguile · misdirect · obfuscate · bamboozle · delude · disseminate
disinformerstruth-tellers
Those who state facts
fact-checkers · reliable sources · straight shooters · whistleblowers · investigative journalists
disinformerseducators
Those who teach others
clarifiers · debunkers · fact-finders · truth-seekers · illuminators