Helping Tamworth stay informed and safe online.
What this page is about
Information moves fast, especially online. Not all of it is accurate or shared with good intentions.
This page explains the three main types of misleading information and how you can protect yourself and others.
What each term means
Misinformation
False or misleading information shared by someone who believes it is true. There is no intent to cause harm.
Disinformation
False information created or shared on purpose to mislead, influence or confuse people.
Malinformation
Information based on truth but used to cause harm. This includes facts taken out of context, private information shared without consent, or selective details used to mislead.
Other terms you may see
Fake news - a general label people use for false or misleading stories. It is broad and not very precise.
Propaganda - Information designed to influence people towards a political or social goal. It can be true, false or selective. The aim is persuasion, not accuracy.
Conspiracy theories - Claims that suggest hidden groups or secret plans control events. These often lack solid evidence.
Satire or parody -Jokes, humour or exaggeration created to entertain or criticise. They are not meant to be taken as fact but can be misunderstood when shared out of context.
Deepfakes - Realistic but fake audio or video created using advanced technology. These can make someone appear to say or do something they never did.
Why this matters for Tamworth
False or distorted information can:
- cause worry and confusion
- mislead people about local events or services
- damage trust in public bodies
- spread quickly on social media before facts are checked
Good information habits help keep the community safe and well informed.
Red flags to watch out for
These signs mean you should slow down and check the information.
- No clear source – if you cannot tell who created it, be careful
- Overly emotional wording – fear or anger can be used to push quick reactions
- Strong claims without evidence – if there are no credible links or data, pause and check
- Only found in one place – if trusted sources are not reporting it, it may not be reliable
- Cropped images or short clips – edited visuals can change the meaning
- Urgent instructions – messages that pressure you to act immediately are common in false content
- Unnamed experts – if someone claims expertise but gives no details, verify before believing it
- Suspicious charts or numbers – if visuals look unclear or misleading, check the original source
- Headlines that do not match the content – clickbait often distorts the real story
- Claims like “they don’t want you to know this” – this framing is often used to make false information seem hidden or exclusive
How to check if something is reliable
- Pause before sharing – a moment of checking helps reduce the spread of false or harmful content
- Check the source – reliable information usually comes from established news outlets, official bodies or named experts
- Check the date – old stories can resurface and spread as if they are new
- See if other trusted sources report the same thing – if not, treat it with caution
- Look for evidence – credible information shows where details come from
- Search key claims yourself online – a quick search can often confirm whether something is real or misleading
We want everyone in Tamworth to feel confident online and supported to pause, check and think before sharing.
Together, we can reduce the impact of false or harmful information.