Democracy depends on an informed citizenry. When voters head to the polls, sit down for town halls or even discuss policies with neighbors, they need to rely on solid, truthful information and facts to make sound decisions. But when truthful information and facts are deliberately distorted or fabricated, the result is disinformation…false information spread intentionally to deceive. Unfortunately, this has become increasingly common and one of the most serious threats to democratic societies today.

Unlike simple mistakes or misunderstandings, disinformation is purposeful. Whether it is It penned by a skilled propagandist or by a maliciously-instructed AI chatbot, it's purpose is to manipulate public opinion, erode trust in institutions and sow division in society. In our hyperconnected world, where a single post can reach millions within hours, the impact of disinformation can be devastating.

How Disinformation Undermines Democracy

At its core, democracy requires citizens to be able to access reliable information to make informed choices. Disinformation attacks this foundation in several ways.

First, it creates confusion about basic facts. When people can't agree on what's true, productive debate becomes impossible. Imagine trying to discuss solutions to climate change when one group has been fed fabricated data suggesting the problem doesn't exist or debating healthcare policy when false statistics about costs and outcomes flood social media. Second, disinformation erodes trust—not just in political opponents, but in the institutions that hold democracies together. Government, election officials, academic experts and journalists all play crucial roles in maintaining an informed society. When disinformation campaigns systematically attack their credibility, citizens lose faith in the very systems designed to serve them.

Third, disinformation increases division. Bad actors with an axe to grind often exploit existing social tensions, spreading inflammatory content designed to turn neighbor against neighbor. By exaggerating differences and promoting extreme viewpoints, disinformation makes compromise and consensus—hallmarks of healthy democracy—nearly impossible to achieve.

Why It Spreads So Easily

Disinformation thrives in today's digital landscape for several reasons. Social media platforms use algorithms that prioritize engaging content, and unfortunately, false or outrageous claims often generate more clicks, shares and comments than mundane truths. This means disinformation can spread faster and reach further than accurate reporting.

Additionally, people tend to believe and share information that confirms their existing beliefs without carefully checking its accuracy. This "confirmation bias" means that once disinformation aligns with someone's worldview, they may accept and spread it uncritically. Foreign adversaries, unscrupulous political campaigns and profit-seeking click-bait factories all exploit these human tendencies.

What Citizens Can Do

Protecting democracy from disinformation starts with you. Before sharing news or claims online, take a moment to verify them. Check if reputable news organizations are reporting the same information. Look for original sources rather than screenshots or second-hand accounts. Be especially skeptical of content designed to provoke strong emotional reactions—outrage and fear are common tools of disinformation.

Diversify your information sources. If you only consume news from outlets that share your political perspective, you are vulnerable to one-sided or false narratives that play to your conformation bias. Instead, seek out journalism that separates fact-based reporting from opinion and be willing to engage with perspectives that challenge your assumptions. Get out of your ideological echo chamber.

Support quality journalism. Subscribe to newspapers, donate to reputable independent and nonprofit news organizations and recognize that reliable information costs money to produce. When journalism struggles financially, disinformation fills the void. If you can support quality journalism through subscriptions or donations, please do so.

Finally, engage in conversations with patience and good faith. When you encounter someone who believes disinformation, attacking or mocking them is not effective. Instead, ask questions, share reliable sources gently, look for common ground and remember that we're all vulnerable to being misled.

Democracy isn't a spectator sport or defend itself. It requires active, informed participation from all of us. By committing to truth, promoting reliable information and maintaining trust in our shared institutions, we can build resilience against disinformation and strengthen the democratic values that bind us together.