Fake news

The fin de siècle newspaper proprietor (cropped)

Fake news is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional news media (print and broadcast) or online social media. Fake news is written and published with the intent to mislead in order to damage an agency, entity, or person, and/or gain financially or politically, often using sensationalist, dishonest, or outright fabricated headlines to increase readership, online sharing, and Internet click revenue.

History

The concept of fake news is not new. It has been used throughout history to influence public opinion and manipulate political outcomes. For example, during the Roman Empire, Octavian used a campaign of disinformation to discredit his rival Mark Antony. In the 19th century, the term "yellow journalism" was coined to describe sensationalist and often misleading news reporting.

Types of Fake News

Fake news can be categorized into several types, including:

• **Clickbait**: Articles with sensationalist headlines designed to attract clicks.
• **Propaganda**: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
• **Satire/Parody**: Articles that are meant to be humorous but can sometimes be mistaken for real news.
• **Misleading Content**: Information that is not entirely false but is presented in a misleading way.
• **Fabricated Content**: Completely false information that is made up with no factual basis.

Impact

The impact of fake news can be significant, influencing public opinion, spreading misinformation, and even affecting election outcomes. It can lead to a lack of trust in the media and create confusion among the public. Fake news can also have serious consequences for individuals and organizations that are targeted by false information.

Combating Fake News

Efforts to combat fake news include:

• **Fact-checking websites**: Websites like Snopes and FactCheck.org that verify the accuracy of news stories.
• **Media literacy education**: Teaching people how to critically evaluate news sources and identify fake news.
• **Algorithm changes**: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have implemented changes to their algorithms to reduce the spread of fake news.

Related Pages

• Yellow journalism
• Propaganda
• Clickbait
• Media literacy
• Fact-checking
• Social media