Authors: Praise Motade Bickersteth, Precious Motola Bickersteth, Charles Ajunwa
Abstract: Malinformation has become a significant issue in contemporary journalism, distinct from misinformation and disinformation. While misinformation involves false information shared without harmful intent, and disinformation is deliberately deceptive, malinformation involves the dissemination of truthful content with the intent to cause harm. This study explores malinformation in the context of information disorder, in which the traditional boundaries between truth and harm are increasingly blurred. The purpose of this paper is to examine the ethical, political, and social dimensions of malinformation, with a focus on its implications for journalism practice and communication education. Key ethical issues, such as the tension between truth-telling and minimising harm, are discussed alongside political concerns regarding the weaponisation of truth for political gain. Socially, malinformation contributes to the erosion of public trust and the deepening of societal divisions. This paper highlights the need for stronger ethical reflexivity among journalists, updated journalism norms to address the digital age, and further academic inquiry into the dynamics of malinformation. The study is relevant to communication and journalism studies, as it provides crucial insights into the evolving media landscape and the challenges journalists face in maintaining ethical standards while serving the public interest.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22107248
