Test your ability to recognise disinformation and content manipulation techniques
The quiz presents the most common forms of information manipulation encountered in the digital environment in a clear and practical way. It also offers concrete examples through which users can test their knowledge and their ability to recognise misleading content.
The quiz has been developed for educational and awareness-raising purposes, as understanding how disinformation works is essential for effectively preventing its spread. The quiz is anonymous and intended solely for education and awareness-raising, as well as for encouraging critical thinking. It serves as a tool to help users better understand how to recognise and prevent the spread of disinformation. Users are encouraged to think critically and always verify information through reliable and credible sources, and to ask themselves, when confronted with questionable content, who created it, for what purpose and whether it is supported by evidence.
The project forms part of the reREAD, reTHINK, RECHECK campaign, first launched by the Government Communication Office ahead of the 2024 European elections. The campaign highlights the growing presence of disinformation and its harmful impact on society. It emphasises that anyone can become a victim of disinformation. Disinformation fuels polarisation, undermines trust in institutions, complicates informed decision-making and affects democratic processes. In crisis situations, such as natural disasters, health crises or political tensions, the spread of false information can cause confusion, panic or even endanger people's safety. Strengthening resilience against information manipulation is therefore essential for democracy.
Techniques of information manipulation are used to spread false or misleading information in order to influence opinions and decisions. Recognising these techniques is essential for building resilience to disinformation.
There are many different tactics used to manipulate information. They often do not rely on obvious lies, but rather on half-truths, selective emphasis and emotions. They use sophisticated and well-tested communication and psychological techniques that exploit human psychology.
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Distortion
Content is taken out of context so that it acquires a different, often misleading meaning.
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Cherry-picking
Only content that supports a particular position is highlighted, while other arguments are omitted.
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Appeal to emotions
Facts are replaced by emotional appeals. Emotionally charged content that provokes anger or fear spreads more quickly.
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False dilemma
The choice is artificially narrowed. Two options are presented even though there are more. One option is portrayed as the better one.
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Ad hominem attack
Instead of addressing a counterargument, attention is shifted to the person and their alleged shortcomings.
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Polarisation
Division into two opposing groups or positions, which may reinforce prejudice.
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Fearmongering
Deliberately provoking fear and creating confusion or uncertainty. Triggering an emotional rather than a rational response.
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Whataboutism
Avoiding discussion by shifting attention from the main issue to another topic, often through a counter-accusation.
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Scapegoating
An individual or group is singled out and unfairly blamed for a problem.
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Slippery slope
Warning that a first step will inevitably lead to very serious consequences.
Websites that attempt to mislead readers by closely imitating authentic media websites are also an important tool for spreading disinformation. Although they replicate the appearance of legitimate media outlets very accurately, their content is different and filled with disinformation. This is similar to the method used in online scams, where fraudsters pretend to be the official websites of companies or their online shops.
In some cases, malicious actors even manage, through skilful manipulation or a hacking attack, to take control of an official website of a media outlet or company, or of their social media profiles. The aim may be to extort a ransom or to alter the content in order to spread disinformation. For this reason, SI-CERT has prepared recommendations (in Slovenian) on how users of the internet and social media can verify whether they are viewing an authentic website and what to do when a previously reliable website or social media profile suddenly starts publishing suspicious content.