"Information Disorder: Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework" is a foundational 2017 report from the Council of Europe that introduced the widely cited information disorder framework. It gave researchers, platforms, and policymakers a shared vocabulary for discussing the information environment.
The framework
The report distinguishes three phenomena by intent and truthfulness:
- Misinformation — false, but shared without intent to harm.
- Disinformation — false and deliberately deceptive.
- Malinformation — genuine information weaponised to cause harm.
Why it's useful
- A shared vocabulary that clarifies otherwise muddled debates.
- Conceptual clarity that shapes the scope of investigations.
- A reference for the definitions used across this site.
How to use it
Pair it with the information integrity guide to ground your terminology before you investigate campaigns, and see the applied method in investigating disinformation campaigns.
Access
Read it free at its official source.
Frequently asked questions
What is the information disorder framework?
Introduced in this 2017 Council of Europe report, the information disorder framework distinguishes misinformation (false, no intent to harm), disinformation (false and deliberately deceptive), and malinformation (true information weaponised to cause harm).
Why is this report important?
It provides a shared vocabulary that shapes how investigators scope their work — focusing on behaviour and intent rather than adjudicating the truth of every claim — and it is cited throughout information-integrity research.