Disinformation
False information intentionally created and spread to deceive people, distinct from misinformation (which is false but shared unknowingly). Disinformation campaigns often have political or financial motives and use sophisticated tactics - mixing truth with lies, exploiting emotional triggers, and leveraging social media algorithms to maximize spread. In international relations, state-directed disinformation is distinguished by intent to mislead and is a core instrument of information warfare alongside firehose-of-falsehood messaging and reflexive control.