Fake news definition by scholars

Scholars have defined fake news in various ways, but here are some common definitions:

  1. Brent Cunningham (2017): "Fake news refers to fabricated or misleading information presented as factual news, often with the intention of deceiving or manipulating the audience."
  2. Philip Napoli (2018): "Fake news is a type of misinformation that is intentionally created and disseminated to deceive or manipulate the public, often for political or financial gain."
  3. Daniel Kreiss (2018): "Fake news is a form of disinformation that is designed to deceive or manipulate the public, often by presenting false or misleading information as factual news."
  4. Yochai Benkler (2018): "Fake news is a type of information that is intentionally created and disseminated to deceive or manipulate the public, often by exploiting the vulnerabilities of the information ecosystem."
  5. The Oxford English Dictionary (2017): "Fake news: news that is fabricated or untrue, often with the intention of deceiving or misleading the public."
  6. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2017): "Fake news: news that is fabricated or untrue, often with the intention of deceiving or misleading the public."
  7. The Pew Research Center (2016): "Fake news is a type of misinformation that is intentionally created and disseminated to deceive or manipulate the public, often by presenting false or misleading information as factual news."

Common characteristics of fake news, as identified by scholars, include:

  1. Intentional deception: Fake news is often created with the intention of deceiving or manipulating the public.
  2. Fabrication or distortion: Fake news involves the fabrication or distortion of information, often to create a false narrative or to support a particular agenda.
  3. Misleading presentation: Fake news is often presented in a way that is designed to deceive or manipulate the audience, such as by using sensational headlines or misleading graphics.
  4. Lack of fact-checking: Fake news often lacks fact-checking or verification, and may be disseminated quickly without being checked for accuracy.
  5. Dissemination through online platforms: Fake news is often disseminated through online platforms, such as social media or websites, which can amplify its reach and impact.

It's worth noting that the term "fake news" has been criticized for being overly broad and potentially misleading, as it can be used to describe a wide range of misinformation, from intentional deception to honest mistakes or biases.