Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news? Proposing a typology framework of false information.

This article focuses on clarifying the nature of false information by proposing a typology framework that categorizes false information into four distinct types: fabrication, manipulation, misinterpretation, and providing incomplete information. Unlike existing definitions that emphasize author intent or content format, this framework centers on how evidence is used to support claims, distinguishing between fabricated evidence, altered genuine evidence, misinterpreted genuine evidence, and genuine evidence presented without sufficient context. The typology is grounded in a systematic review of existing misinformation taxonomies and fact-checking verdicts from International Fact-Checking Network signatories in the United States, aiming to enhance practical applications in fake news detection, fact-checking, and policy responses. The framework also highlights that while fabrication and manipulation imply malicious intent, misinterpretation and incomplete information may result from honest mistakes, suggesting differentiated approaches for detection and governance.