Greetings, fellow citizens of the illustrious Port Moody,
Welcome to the Port Moody Progressive Action Committee page. Do take care, however, not to confuse it with the Pomo PAC Facebook page, where one might find more peculiar musings.
Now, allow us to thank you for your attendance, as your thirst for truth does not go unnoticed. In this age of fleeting print media and waning local online outlets, such as the Tri-City News, it seems the noble citizens of Port Moody must rise to the occasion. We must push back—boldly, and without hesitation—against the rising tide of misinformation and disinformation that threatens to obscure the facts.
Before we dive into the intricacies of fact-checking, let us first engage in a brief discussion on the matters of misinformation, disinformation, and the all-too-familiar creature known as propaganda.
Now, dear reader, one may wonder: What exactly is the difference between misinformation and disinformation?
Misinformation is the unintentional spreading of false or misleading information, often by those who believe it to be true. Disinformation, however, is far more devious—an intentional act of deceit, designed to mislead and manipulate. Both, we fear, are far too common in our modern world.
A few key traits of misinformation include:
- It is unintentional, for those who spread it may not even realize their error.
- It is false or misleading, though not with malice aforethought.
- And it spreads, alas, all too quickly through the ever-reaching tendrils of social media and digital platforms.
Disinformation—such a wicked creature that slinks in the shadows of truth, its very presence a distortion of reality. Unlike the innocent errors of misinformation, dear reader, disinformation is crafted with deliberate intent, designed to deceive, manipulate, and control. It is a treacherous force, wielded by those who seek to obscure the facts, to lead others astray for purposes both selfish and nefarious.
How does it work, you ask? Well, dearest reader, disinformation is not content with mere half-truths—it spins entire webs of falsehood, carefully constructed and strategically spread. It preys upon the trusting, the unsuspecting, and the gullible, its lies often wrapped in the most convincing of façades. One might liken it to the most charming of con artists—smooth, calculated, and utterly misleading.
But take heed, gentle reader, for disinformation does not merely linger in the dark corners of society—it thrives in public discourse, appearing in the most fiendish of places: on social media, in news outlets, and within the very halls of power. It sows confusion, fosters division, and breeds distrust, all the while masquerading as truth.
Ah, dear reader, now that we’ve uncovered the shadows of misinformation and disinformation, please allow us to offer some most useful guidance on how to spot such treacherous creatures lurking amongst your media feeds. It requires a keen eye and a discerning mind, but fear not—we shall guide you through these perilous waters.
1. Check the Source: Is it a website of repute, or perhaps a trusted news outlet? One must always consider whether the source is credible before giving in to the allure of its words. And agentle reminder, my fellow citizens, not all voices in the public sphere are worthy of attention.
2. Verify with Other Sources: Ah, the joy of confirmation! If others—especially those of a reputable nature—are reporting the same tale, perhaps you may proceed with a modicum of confidence. But be wary if the story lives only in one corner of the internet, for it may be a lone whisper in the wind.
3. Look at the Date: Old news, dear reader, has a way of resurfacing like a forgotten scandal. Be cautious—manipulated headlines, can be like vintage gossip, easily revived and misused. Check the date before you give credence to a claim; as it may not be as fresh as it seems.
4. Check for Bias: Is the source pushing a particular agenda or stirring up strong emotions? Should your blood begin to boil or your heart race with fervour, pause. Is it the message, or is it the messenger attempting to manipulate your feelings? A source’s intentions may be far from neutral.
5. Reverse Image Search: Ah, the beauty of modern technology! If an image strikes you as suspicious or too perfect, indulge in a reverse image search to uncover its true origins. You may find, much to your surprise, that it was taken entirely out of context.
6. Watch for Manipulated Content: Be ever watchful for deepfakes, edited videos, and clips removed from their rightful context. These digital tricks are far more prevalent than one would care to admit, and they can distort reality as easily as a master of disguise changes their face.
Ah, dear reader, ever curious and eager to uncover the truths that lie beneath the surface, you inquire: What is propaganda?
Allow us to illuminate this matter with the greatest of care. According to the fine folks at Dictionary.com, propaganda is defined as “information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.” But such a definition, we daresay, is hardly sufficient, for propaganda is a slippery beast—difficult to define and even more difficult to recognize. It is often cast in a pejorative light, depending on whose cause one supports. They may label it propaganda, while we call it the truth.
Enter the learned and esteemed Emma Briant, a British scholar of considerable repute. She defines propaganda thusly:
“The deliberate manipulation of representations (including text, pictures, video, speech etc.) with the intention of producing any effect in the audience (e.g. action or inaction; reinforcement or transformation of feelings, ideas, attitudes, or behaviours) that is desired by the propagandist.”
A rather precise and chilling description, wouldn’t you agree?
And then, of course, we turn to the wise words of Jowett and O’Donnell, authors of Propaganda & Persuasion, who offer this:
“Propaganda is a form of communication that attempts to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Persuasion is interactive and attempts to satisfy the needs of both persuader and persuaded. A model of propaganda depicts how elements of informative and persuasive communication may be incorporated into propagandistic communication, thus distinguishing propaganda as a specific class of communication. References are made to past theories of rhetoric that indicate propaganda has had few systematic theoretical treatments prior to the 20th century. Public opinion and behavioral change can be affected by propaganda.”
If you recall, dear reader, one of our former unelected councillors penned the following: “...propaganda relies more upon emotional manipulation than upon logic… its frequent use of outright lies…even when it sticks to the facts, propaganda can be unabashedly subjective and one-sided…”
Propaganda, my dear, thrives not upon reasoned logic, but upon the manipulation of emotions. It plays the heartstrings like a finely tuned instrument, bending feelings to its will.
And most insidious, is its frequent reliance upon outright lies. A dangerous affair, indeed, but one all too common in the art of persuasion.
Perhaps most fascinating of all, even when propaganda sticks to the facts, it does so with unabashed subjectivity—crafting a narrative that is one-sided and, dare we say, deliberately so.
One must always be cautious in the face of such persuasive tactics. Propaganda, much like a well-cooked dish, can easily disguise its true ingredients. We, dear citizens, must keep our wits about us.
So, dear reader, be vigilant! In the age of information, not all that glitters is gold. Trust, but verify—and always with a discerning eye.
Yours in truth,
PoMo PAC
| Misinformation | Disinformation | |
| Definition | False or misleading information shared without intent to deceive. | False or misleading information shared deliberately to deceive. |
| Intent | Unintentional; the person sharing it may believe it’s true. | Intentional; spread to manipulate public opinion or achieve an agenda. |
| Examples | A mistaken report about a celebrity’s death. A misinterpreted statistic that gets widely shared. | Fake news articles designed to manipulate elections. Deepfake videos falsely portray real people. |
| Impact | Can cause confusion but is often spread with good intentions. | Can be used for propaganda, scams, or political manipulation. |