By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept

Indestata

  • Home
  • News
  • Personal Finance
    • Credit Cards
    • Loans
    • Banking
    • Retirement
    • Taxes
  • Debt
  • Homes
  • Business
  • More
    • Investing
    • Newsletter
Reading: Who’s Behind This: How Did We Enter The World Of Fake News
Share
Subscribe To Alerts
IndestataIndestata
Font ResizerAa
  • Personal Finance
  • Credit Cards
  • Loans
  • Investing
  • Business
  • Debt
  • Homes
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Personal Finance
    • Credit Cards
    • Loans
    • Banking
    • Retirement
    • Taxes
  • Debt
  • Homes
  • Business
  • More
    • Investing
    • Newsletter
Follow US
Copyright © 2014-2023 Ruby Theme Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Indestata > Debt > Who’s Behind This: How Did We Enter The World Of Fake News
Debt

Who’s Behind This: How Did We Enter The World Of Fake News

TSP Staff By TSP Staff Last updated: December 4, 2024 6 Min Read
SHARE
Image Source: 123rf.com

In 2017, “fake news” was labeled “Word of the Year” by Collins Dictionary. Since then, you’d be hard-pressed to scroll through any media site or news channel without the term being mentioned. Political figures like Donald Trump and Joe Biden are being accused of making up news stories to suit their own narrative or campaign. While many people have assumed that fake news is a Trump-era problem, there is actually a bit of a history behind “fake news.” So, how did we get here? Let’s dive into the short, but important, history of fabrication and propaganda. 

What is Fake News? 

According to Dictionary.com, fake news is defined as “false news stories, often of a sensational nature, created to be widely shared or distributed for the purpose of generating revenue, or promoting or discrediting a public figure, political movement, company, etc.”

In short, fake news is propaganda. The main difference, as The Guardian columnist Natalie Nougayrède pointed out, is that in today’s world technology makes it so much easier to spread false rhetoric. At the same time, technology is there to fact-check claims and help you sort out the truth from the lies. 

That said, misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, and this so-called fake news is nothing new. We’ve been dealing with it for centuries.

Fake News Goes Further Back Than You Think

Misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda can be traced back to the days of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. At the time, Octavian waged war against Antony via a propaganda campaign. He wanted to smear his reputation, so he started spreading lies. Octavian came up with short, sharp slogans that were written on coins. Think of it as an ancient Tweet. 

The coins told people that Antony was a womanizer and a drunk. He also alleged that Antony was Cleopatra’s puppet and was corrupted by his affair with her. You may know how this story ends. Octavian became Augustus, the first Roman Emperor. “Fake news” allowed him to hack the system and become emperor. That seems pretty unbelievable, but it’s true. 

Over time, the creation of various communication methods has made it easier to spread lies. The invention of the Gutenberg printing press in 1493 ramped up the ability to get propaganda and false information out to the masses. Ultimately, it led to the very first large-scale fake news hoax, The Great Moon Hoax of 1835. 

The Modern Era of Fabrication 

The Modern Era of Fabrication 
Image Source: 123rf.com

Later inventions like the radio, television, the internet, and social media have all made it easier to spread fake news. Oftentimes, claims can go viral and be widespread before they are identified as fake, meaning there are a large number of people who have seen it and believe it to be true. In a social climate like we have today where everyone seems to be relying on news that aligns with their beliefs, many people feel like they should be able to create their own news or choose what to believe. 

Today, it is being referred to as an “information disorder syndrome.” Information disorder syndrome is the sharing or developing of false information with or without the intent of harming and they are categorized as misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

So, what can we do to combat fake news? 

How to Combat Fake News

Don’t feel powerless. There are things you can do to combat fake news. First and foremost, double-check the information you receive. Don’t trust that your great-aunt is sharing the gospel truth. When you see someone share something like “People are eating dogs and cats in Ohio,” do a Google search. Read a few articles. Get familiar with the facts about what we said. In most cases, you’ll find there is some truth in what people are saying. They also aren’t usually sharing false information on purpose. 

For your part, you can ensure that all of the information you share is true, without a doubt. Make sure you have reliable sources for information and don’t fall victim to partisan news that is really just propaganda. Ultimately, when you spread fake news, you are spreading propaganda… for free. You are furthering someone’s political campaign or their agenda. So, do your due diligence and check things out before you share, say, or spread information. 

Have you been impacted by fake news in any way? Let us know your experiences in the comments.

Read More

  • Trump’s Stumbling Start – Cabinet Picks Drop Stocks
  • Trump Plan to ‘Fix the Economy’ May Do the Opposite
  • Stocks Soar On Trump Return, Uncertainties Remain

Read the full article here

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article These Are The Top 5 Charities To Give Christmas Donations To
Next Article 12 Car Dealer Tricks To Avoid
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
PinterestPin
InstagramFollow
TiktokFollow
Google NewsFollow
Most Popular
State Farm Drive Safe and Save
May 9, 2025
11 Underrated Email Newsletters That Drop Exclusive Coupon Links Every Week
May 9, 2025
5 Moms, 5 Paths & A Shared Commitment to Financial Wellness
May 9, 2025
Is The Best Way To Save Money Worth It? 9 Unvarnished Realities Nobody Mentions
May 9, 2025
Investing In AI: A Beginner’s Guide
May 9, 2025
What Is A Subprime Mortgage?
May 9, 2025

You Might Also Like

Debt

10 Airline Freebies Hiding in Coach—Snag Them Without Elite Status

9 Min Read
Debt

8 Coastal Getaways So Overrated Even the Seagulls Look Bored

8 Min Read
Debt

15 Almost-Too-Good-to-Be-Legal Tactics for Keeping More Cash Each Month

10 Min Read
Debt

Budgeting Apps in Canada – Pros & Cons to Know

4 Min Read

Always Stay Up to Date

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Indestata

Indestata is your one-stop website for the latest finance news, updates and tips, follow us for more daily updates.

Latest News

  • Small Business
  • Debt
  • Investments
  • Personal Finance

Resouce

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Daily Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Get Daily Updates
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?