Changes

'''"Fake news"''' is any news that claims to be true, but is actually factually false or an extremely distorted interpretation of facts.

'''"Fake news"''' refers to [[liberal bias]] in the media that is so misleading that it is actually false. It can also include assertions of a non-political nature that seem believable but are untrue.

''Fake news should not be confused with [[liberal bias]] in the media.'' Liberal bias refers to somewhat left-leaning biased interpretations of the news, but the underlying facts are usually still correct.

Non-political fake news is designed to attract internet traffic, attention, or sales.  Political fake news is designed to push an agenda, typically the [[conservative]] or [[neo-Nazi]] one.  A recent example of fake news is the uncorroborated, obscene sexual allegation published by ''[[The New Yorker]]'' as part of the [[Kavanaugh smear]], which even liberal news outlets criticized.

Non-political fake news is designed to attract internet traffic, attention, or sales.  Political fake news is designed to push an agenda, typically the [[liberal]] one.  A recent example of fake news is the uncorroborated, obscene sexual allegation published by ''[[The New Yorker]]'' as part of the [[Kavanaugh smear]], which even liberal news outlets criticized.

Fake news is presented in a manner to create the impression that it is actual news.  While the actual term "fake news" is quite recent, the concept has been around for hundreds of years.  Both the historical instances and the modern instances are often driven by a desire to make money, whether from purchase of "supermarket tabloids" or from often-deceptive clicks on websites.  The falsehoods have sufficient emotional impact to assure that they will be magnified in various [[Media|mediums]].  It is debated whether or not this includes [[Satire|satiric]] news.<ref>"Tall Tale or Satire?  Authors of So-Called "Fake News" Feel Misjudged".  ''NBC News''.  http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tall-tale-or-satire-authors-so-called-fake-news-feel-n689421</ref><ref>''Fake News Watch''.  http://fakenewswatch.com/</ref>

Fake news is presented in a manner to create the impression that it is actual news.  While the actual term "fake news" is quite recent, the concept has been around for hundreds of years.  Both the historical instances and the modern instances are often driven by a desire to make money, whether from purchase of "supermarket tabloids" or from often-deceptive clicks on websites.  The falsehoods have sufficient emotional impact to assure that they will be magnified in various [[Media|mediums]].  It is debated whether or not this includes [[Satire|satiric]] news.<ref>"Tall Tale or Satire?  Authors of So-Called "Fake News" Feel Misjudged".  ''NBC News''.  http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tall-tale-or-satire-authors-so-called-fake-news-feel-n689421</ref><ref>''Fake News Watch''.  http://fakenewswatch.com/</ref>

Fake news websites lack known publishers hindering lawsuits against them for [[libel]] or [[slander]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/05/opinions/suing-fake-news-not-so-fast-callan/index.html|title=Sue over fake news? Not so fast|last=Callan|first=Paul|website=CNN|accessdate=April 6, 2017}}</ref> In many cases, the fake news websites resolve to IP addresses located outside the United States.

Fake news websites lack known publishers hindering lawsuits against them for [[libel]] or [[slander]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/05/opinions/suing-fake-news-not-so-fast-callan/index.html|title=Sue over fake news? Not so fast|last=Callan|first=Paul|website=CNN|accessdate=April 6, 2017}}</ref> In many cases, the fake news websites resolve to IP addresses located outside the United States.

Another example of fake news is the attempt by Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election, possibly to favor [[Donald Trump]], [[President of the United States]]. The conservative-pushed, Trump-employed term "fake news" refer to a form of [[conspiracy theory]]. However, the [[mainstream media]] itself prevents fake news stories from appearing in its nightly network newscasts, on its cable news channels, in its newspapers and on its websites, by thoroughly vetting stories before publishing. The problem arises when people think Facebook and other social media websites are "mainstream news outlets" when in fact there are usually the source of fake news / conspiracy theory / lies.<ref name="Tech Crunch">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/14/facebook-fake-news-code-media/|title=Facebook is still figuring out how to tackle fake news|date=Feb 14, 2017|accessdate=June 29, 2017|work=Tech Crunch}}</ref> While liberals accuse conservatives of being behind fake news stories, and conservatives accuse liberals of being behind fake news stories, the evidence shows that it is '''often Russia behind these stories''', although fake news is designed to appeal to audiences all across the political spectrum.

Previously [[liberals]], the [[mainstream media]], and [[social media]] had misapplied the term "fake news" to make the false accusation that [[Alternative Media|alternative news]] sources are "deliberately lying" to their readers, listeners, and viewers, and that these "lies" helped elect [[Donald Trump]] [[President of the United States]]. The liberal-pushed "fake news" accusations are a form of [[conspiracy theory]]. However, the [[mainstream media]] itself publishes and promotes fake news stories from appearing in its nightly network newscasts, on its cable news channels, in its newspapers and on its websites (including Facebook).<ref name="Tech Crunch">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/14/facebook-fake-news-code-media/|title=Facebook is still figuring out how to tackle fake news|date=Feb 14, 2017|accessdate=June 29, 2017|work=Tech Crunch}}</ref><ref name="Barron">{{cite news|url=http://ajr.org/2015/04/03/news-sites-fall-for-fake-news|title=Even News Sites Fall for Fake News|first=Rachel|last=Barron|date=April 3, 2017|accessdate=June 29, 2017|work=American Journalism Review}}</ref>

When fake news sites misuse the "ABC News" logo<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.snopes.com/2016/08/07/breitbart-duped-by-fake-news-again/|title=Breitbart Duped by Fake News (Again)|date=September 1, 2016|accessdate=April 5, 2017|work=Snopes}}</ref> or are designed to appear to be sponsored by a TV news channel, the mainstream media may also appear to publish and promote fake news stories.

As in other mediums, the mainstream media can make mistakes, such as a fictional ''Washington Post'' story that Russia hacked the U.S. power grid in 2016.<ref>Leetaru, Kalev, "[http://www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2017/01/01/fake-news-and-how-the-washington-post-rewrote-its-story-on-russian-hacking-of-the-power-grid/ 'Fake News' And How The Washington Post Rewrote Its Story On Russian Hacking Of The Power Grid]," ''Forbes'', Jan 1, 2017.</ref> This happens through mistaken reporting resulting from bias or a failure to screen stories.

As in other mediums, the mainstream media can be rife with blatant fake news stories, such as a fictional ''Washington Post'' story that Russia hacked the U.S. power grid in 2016.<ref>Leetaru, Kalev, "[http://www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2017/01/01/fake-news-and-how-the-washington-post-rewrote-its-story-on-russian-hacking-of-the-power-grid/ 'Fake News' And How The Washington Post Rewrote Its Story On Russian Hacking Of The Power Grid]," ''Forbes'', Jan 1, 2017.</ref> This happens through mistaken reporting resulting from bias or a failure to screen stories. While leftists accuse conservatives of being behind fake news stories, the evidence shows the exact opposite, although fake news is designed to appeal to audiences all across the political spectrum.

==History==

==History==