[user-the-name]

Irrelevant. Misinformation is information that is known to be false by the spreader. They can not make the argument that they honestly thought it to be true.

[Miner49er]

I'd argue that the vast majority of misinformation online is spread by those that truly believe it.

[watwut]

The people often do. But at the root are people who knowingly create misinformation and spread it.

[Miner49er]

How do you know this? I'm sure some misinformation is created intentionally, but I think most comes from people who think they've found some truth.

[ernst_klim]

> known to be false by the spreader

So if the spreader believes it's true? How do you know if they know or pretending?

[xg15]

That's a special case that we can discuss when necessary.

I think it's useful enough for practical purposes that we can clearly classify something as misinformation where the spreader knew what they were doing.

[stretchcat]

> Misinformation is information that is known to be false by the spreader.

That's wrong. Misinformation is often spread unwittingly.

[fires10]

Yes, but much is created by bad actors knowingly spreading misinformation so it will go viral. I do not fault those who do not know better but I fault those who do or should by the result of their position. All leaders and candidates have an obligation to check there information. All purported news agencies or pundits as well. There is a different burden depending on audience an reasonable affect.

[user-the-name]

Less than you think. A lot of misinformation is spread by people who pretend to believe it, but do know on some level it is bullshit.

[proactivesvcs]

Since you seem to be splitting hairs: if I think the Earth is flat and I tell people this, my belief makes no difference to whether it is misinformation or not.

My belief means that it is a falsehood rather than a lie.