A guide with hashtags for sharing content on social platforms

Hashtag postfixes for types of online untruths

Use these hashtag postfixes when you recognize these types of untruths online:

  • _M : Misinformation
  • _C : Conceptual deception
  • _D : Disinformation
  • _F : Fake news
  • _P : Propaganda
  • _S : Satire

_M - Misinformation

Misinformation refers to false or misleading information that is shared unknowingly and is not intended to deliberately deceive, manipulate or inflict harm on a person, social group, organisation or country.

_C - Contextual deception

Contextual deception refers to the use of true but not necessarily related information to frame an event, issue or individual (e.g. a headline that does not match the corresponding article), or the misrepresentation of facts to support one’s narrative (e.g. to deliberately delete information that is essential context to understanding the original meaning). The way in which facts are used is disingenuous and with the intent to manipulate people or cause harm.

_D - Disinformation

Disinformation refers to verifiably false or misleading information that is knowingly and intentionally created and shared for economic gain or to deliberately deceive, manipulate or inflict harm.

_F - Fake news

Fake news refers to false information that is purposefully crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or totally fabricated information that mimics the form of mainstream news. Fake news can be wholly fabricated or a mix of fact and fiction.

_P - Propaganda

Propaganda refers to the activity or content adopted and propagated by governments, private firms, non-profits, and individuals to manage collective attitudes, values, narratives, and opinions.

_S - Satire

Satire is defined as language, film or other works of art that use humor and exaggeration to critique people or ideas, often as a form of social or political commentary.


Source for the definitions : Lesher, M., H. Pawelec and A. Desai (2022), "Disentangling untruths online: Creators, spreaders and how to stop them", Going Digital Toolkit Note, No. 23