Mis/Disinformation

Misinformation is false or misleading information that is often unwittingly shared, while disinformation is deliberately created and distributed with an intent to deceive or harm. The effect of both can be the spread of false information.

Mis and disinformation has become pernicious in the American political discourse, and it has unique causes and negative effects within the AAPI community. This is why AAPI Victory Alliance’s research into culturally competent ways to combat mis- and disinformation is so important.

• External disinformation, about the AAPI community--for example, blaming East Asians for the COVID-19 pandemic or blaming South Asians for Islamic extremism--has led to deadly violence against members of our communities. 

• Misinformation concerning the “model minority” myth has also led to harmful stereotypes and assumptions about individuals AAPIs, leading to a cascade of negative consequences. 

• This is why Victory Alliance’s advocacy for data disaggregation and our thinktank research that centers the AAPI community is so important.

• Internal disinformation, within the AAPI community, has led to negative health outcomes, decreased civic participation, and lack of confidence in the electoral system. For example, AAPIs in California were told they did not need to vote in the recall election unless they wanted the governor to be recalled. This of course was not true, and is an important example of why it is so urgent for AAPI Victory Alliance to address.

• Internal disinformation is unique to our communities as AAPI ethnic groups are often communicating and spreading this disinformation through social media, and often in native languages. This is why AAPI Victory Alliance supports specially tailored approaches with culturally competent campaigns to combat mis- and disinformation.

• Learn how you can help fight mis and disinformation by watching our event Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Online in the AAPI Community.