Identifying disinformation: an ABC. IES Policy Brief Issue 2016/01 - February 2016

Nimmo, Ben (2016) Identifying disinformation: an ABC. IES Policy Brief Issue 2016/01 - February 2016. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

One of the key challenges in countering information warfare is identifying when it is taking place. The concept of disinformation is widely understood and has been exhaustively defined; however, the currently available definitions do not allow for the operational identification of disinformation in a sufficiently rapid manner to allow for effective countermeasures. This paper argues that the essence of disinformation is the intent to deceive. While such an intent is difficult to prove, it can be inferred by reference to three key criteria, termed the “ABC approach”. These criteria are: the accuracy of factual statements, balance in reporting and the credibility of the sources chosen. This ABC approach is intended to give academics, analysts and policy-makers an operational method to determine whether disinformation has been committed in a given case.

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