Against online disinformation: the need for a critical look and multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

The battle against misinformation relies on three indispensable pillars: foundational education —starting from school—, a critical perspective, and an interdisciplinary approach. These components are paramount in comprehending its causes, development, and potential effects on public opinion. Basic education equips individuals with the necessary skills and facilitates contextualization of the issue, from past to present days, enabling differentiation among various types, degrees, and levels of misinformation based on underlying motives. Moreover, adopting a multidisciplinary and holistic perspective provides the right angle to apprehend the complexity of misinformation in its entirety. Additionally, a critical outlook is key to unraveling the intricacies of contemporary dilemmas such as the dissemination of misinformation regarding misinformation itself. It also offers insight into how rumors and fake news can become a lucrative business, not only for those spreading them but also for those claiming to combat them.