Disinformation and Deception: An Ancient Weapon in a Modern World
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55804/TSU-ti-3/PetrocchiKeywords:
Disinformation, Hybrid Warfare, Cognitive Manipulation, Psychological Operations, PSYOPAbstract
Disinformation has historically been employed as a strategic tool for influencing public perception, shaping political discourse, and destabilizing adversaries. From ancient military deception to modern hybrid warfare, the evolution of disinformation reflects technological advancements and shifting geopolitical landscapes. This paper explores the theoretical foundations of disinformation, its historical precedents, the mechanisms through which it operates, and its implications for democratic governance and security. Through comparative case studies, including Cold War intelligence operations and contemporary digital disinformation campaigns, this study underscores the persistent role of manipulation in global affairs. Furthermore, it examines modern countermeasures, ranging from fact-checking initiatives to AI-driven detection systems, and highlights future challenges posed by emerging technologies such as deepfakes and algorithmic manipulation. A rigorous analysis of disinformation requires a clear differentiation from related phenomena to avoid conceptual ambiguities and ensure methodological precision. As Wardle and Derakhshan (2017) argue, disinformation operates within a broader informational ecosystem, which also encompasses misinformation—the inadvertent dissemination of false information due to errors or a lack of verification—and malinformation, the deliberate release of truthful information that has been decontextualized or manipulated to inflict harm. This taxonomy facilitates a more precise delineation of the strategies employed by actors engaged in informational manipulation and aids in the formulation of effective countermeasures. The study of propaganda and information warfare necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various analytical perspectives.
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