Definition of "misinformation"

My intent is not to criticize an unpublished biology paper, but only to demonstrate the ease with which misinformation can creep into popular literature.

1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, page 87

The Panther Moderns allowed four minutes for their first move to take effect, then injected a second carefully prepared dose of misinformation.

1984, William Gibson, chapter 4, in Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1), New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, page 62

Liara: Although we seek to understand other species, it seems few of them seek to understand us. The galaxy is filled with rumors and misinformation about my people.

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, PC, scene: Normandy SR-1

Mark Zuckerberg said he regretted dismissing concerns about the Facebook’s role in influencing the US presidential race, his latest acknowledgement that misinformation on the platform has affected elections.

2017 September 28, Sam Levin, “Mark Zuckerberg: I regret ridiculing fears over Facebook's effect on election”, in The Guardian‎

As someone who studies the impact of misinformation on society, I often wish the young entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley who enabled communication at speed had been forced to run a 9/11 scenario with their technologies before they deployed them commercially.

2019, Claire Wardle, “Misinformation Has Created a New World Disorder”, in Scientific American‎

Framing everything as a grand conflict against scheming enemies can feel enormously reassuring. And that’s why perhaps the greatest culprit of our era of misinformation may be, more than any one particular misinformer, the era-defining rise in social polarization.

2021 May 7, Max Fisher, “‘Belonging Is Stronger Than Facts’: The Age of Misinformation”, in The New York Times‎

Early news coverage of this incident on Sunday October 31/Monday November 1 was blighted by misinformation arising from an early Network Rail official statement and a leaked NR log, resulting in TV/radio news reports which were factually inaccurate in at least five fundamentals.

2021 November 17, Nigel Harris, “Network News: Leaked NR log and statement prompted media chaos”, in RAIL, number 944, page 6