What term describes information that is false and disseminated by someone who believes it is true?

• A. Misinformation
• B. Disinformation
• C. Propaganda
• D. Gossip

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is misinformation: information that is false or misleading and is spread by someone who believes it to be true. The crucial point is the sharer’s belief in the truth of the claim—not the intent to deceive. If someone genuinely thinks the claim is true and passes it along, that’s misinformation.

Disinformation, by contrast, is false information spread with the intent to deceive. Propaganda is a broader tactic that uses persuasive messaging and can involve misinformation, but isn’t limited to false claims alone. Gossip is casual talk about others and isn’t inherently about factual accuracy.

So, the term that best fits “false information disseminated by someone who believes it is true” is misinformation.