We're buried in data, and defining what is and what is not genuine information becomes more of a challenge all the time.
William Badke
What Is Fake News?
Fake News
Essentially, fake news means false or misleading information presented as legitimate news or facts. It is deliberately created to deceive or mislead readers.
Jennifer Kavanagh and Michael D. Rich (2018), authors of Truth Decay: An Initial Exploration of the Diminish Role of Facts and Analysis in American Public Life, define fake news as,
“Newspaper articles, television news shows, or other information disseminated through broadcast or social media that are intentionally based on falsehoods or that intentionally use misleading framing to offer a distorted narrative”.
However, fake news is far more nuanced. It can take many forms including completely fabricated stories, distorted facts, and sensational headlines designed to attract attention and provoke emotional reactions. Fake news can be presented in multiple formats including the written word, images, and audio.
Misinformation vs. Disinformation
- Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information that is spread without the intent to deceive. It can occur accidentally through errors or misunderstandings.
- Disinformation is false information that is intentionally spread to deceive people. It is a subset of fake news but with a deliberate intent to mislead.
Fake news often aims to deceive readers for various purposes, such as political manipulation, financial gain, or social influence.
Remember, fake news does not mean information you disagree with.
Do your part to stop the spread of fake news.
What is Satire?
Satire is a literary and artistic form that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize and expose the flaws or shortcomings of individuals, institutions, or society. Its primary aim is to provoke thought and reflection, often encouraging social or political change.
Unlike fake news, which deliberately disseminates false information to deceive and manipulate the audience for malicious purposes, satire is typically intended to be recognized as a critique or parody. Satirical works often include clues to their fictitious nature, helping the audience distinguish them from genuine news reports.
Exploring Satire
You may already be familiar with popular satirical news sites like the Borowitz Report, the Onion, or the Daily Show. Explore the following resources to learn more about satirical news.
It may be easy to tell on the satirical newspaper website that it is not reporting real news, but if you take one article or image in isolation, it can be more difficult.
Fake News Examples
Fake News Challenge
Is it real or fake? Think you can easily distinguish between what is real and fake? Take Ashland University's Fake News Challenge to test your skill.
Attribution
Badke, William B. Research Strategies : Finding Your Way through the Information Fog. 7th edition., iUniverse, Inc., 2021.