'''"Fake news"''' refers to [[falsehood]]s manufactured and disseminated, whether intentionally or unintentionally, 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>
The motive of fake news is to either manipulate public opinion or to profit from advertising displayed on the fake news sites. The fake news can originate as a [[hoax]], as a tactical ploy by a political operative, or as attempts to boost an audience using "click bait", or as mistaken reporting resulting from [[bias]].
Fake news websites lack known publishers hindering lawsuits against them for [[libel]] or [[slander]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://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.
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>{{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>{{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 2920, 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 some sources relied upon by main stream media can be rife with blatant fake news storieslead to false reporting, such as a fictional the ''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 Fake news is designed to appeal to audiences all across the political spectrum.
==History==
According to FBI cyber experts, during the 2016 presidential election, Russians used armies of Twitter bots to spread fake news using accounts that seem to be Midwestern swing-voter Republicans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/04/03/522503844/how-russian-twitter-bots-pumped-out-fake-news-during-the-2016-election|title=How Russian Twitter Bots Pumped Out Fake News During The 2016 Election|date=April 3, 2017|work=NPR|accessdate=April 4, 2017}}</ref> Leading up to the March 15, 2017 election in the Netherlands, Russia was found to use social media to spread "fake news" to influence public opinion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/russia-spread-fake-news-during-dutch-election-report-putin/|title=Russia spread fake news during Dutch election: report|date=April 4, 2017|work=Politico|accessdate=April 4, 2017}}</ref>
One possible example of fake news was the announcement by the [[mainstream media]] that [[Fidel Castro]] died at age 90 on November 25, 2016.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/26/americas/fidel-castro-obit/</ref> In fact, the [[Obama Administration]] and major news outlets were likely aware that Castro had died of a terminal illness many years earlier. Indeed, [[Obama]] did not even mention, let alone visit, Castro during Obama's visit to Cuba in March 2016, and neither the president, vice-president, or other high-ranking elected official of the United States attended Castro's "funeral".
One fake news item from ''Freedom Daily'' in February 2017 was: "BREAKING: Federal Judge Just Officially Ruled CNN Is FAKE NEWS And Forces SHOCKING Punishment On Them!" However, this was a mis-reporting of a Georgia federal district court judge denying CNN's motion for summary judgment in a defamation action filed by a hospital executive against CNN. No "shocking punishment" was involved and the case will go to trial on the merits.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.snopes.com/cnn-fake-news/|title=Did a Judge Rule That CNN Is 'Fake News'?|date=Feb 17, 2017|accessdate=April 5, 2017|work=Snopes}}</ref>
A poorly-sourced February 4 ''Washington Post'' article claimed a feud existed between DHS Secretary [[John F. Kelly]] and [[Steve Bannon]], when in fact, none existed. The article's author was forced to admit his error.<ref>Hayward, John (February 8, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/02/08/fake-news-dhs-secretary-calls-wapo-john-kelly-steve-bannon-feud-a-fantasy-story/ Fake News: DHS Secretary Calls WaPo ‘John Kelly-Steve Bannon Feud’ a ‘Fantasy Story’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2017.</ref>
In May 2017, a CNN program claimed that [[Islam]] "has always been part of the American fabric" even as far back as the American Revolution, despite the apparent contradiction with some debate about the historical record.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (May 29, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/29/cnns-crusade-declare-islam-part-americas-founding/ CNN’s W. Kamau Bell: Islam Part of America’s Founding]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 29, 2017.</ref>
===President Trump and "fake news"===
One widely shared fake story, spread by the mainstream media, that Trump's election had led to a rise in anti-Semitism by white supremcists—it turned out that bomb threats at a synagogue were actually carried out by "an African-American left-wing journalist" and a "Jewish teenager in Israel, with dual citizenship in the U.S."<ref>Pollak, Joel (March 29, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/03/29/fake-news-donald-trump-antisemitism-vindicated/ Donald Trump Vindicated: Antisemitism Surge ‘Fake News’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 29, 2017.</ref>
FFollowing During the 2016 election in which Trump wonpresidential campaign, [[liberals]], the [[mainstream media]], and [[social media]] had misapplied the term "fake news" was used to make the false accusation that [[Alternative Media|alternative news]] and describe efforts by Russian sources are "deliberately lying" to their readers, listeners, and viewers, and that these spread "lies" that 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 is adopting safeguards to prevent fake news stories,<ref>Heinlein, Peter (May 30, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/donald-trump-frustrated-fake-news-overlooks-accomplishments/3878266.html Trump Frustrated by 'Fake News' That Overlooks His Accomplishments]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved June 26, 2017.</ref> from appearing in its nightly network newscasts, on its cable news channels, in its newspapers and on its websites (including Facebook). The MSM has allegedly been adopting safeguards to prevent itself from reporting fake news stories,<ref>{{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>{{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> but it has been unsuccessful based on more recent examples.
====Presidency====
{{cquote|The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!}}
In response, Senator [[John McCain]], criticized Trump for these statements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/mccain-warns-suppressing-press-how-dictators-get-started-n722906|title=McCain Warns Suppressing Press ‘Is How Dictators Get Started’|date=February 19, 2017|accessdate=April 5, 2017|work=NBC News Meet the Press}}</ref>
''The Washington Post'' reported in June 2017 of a meeting held between President Trump and [[Federal Communications Commission]] Chairman [[Ajit Pai]] that never occurred.<ref>Moran, Sean (June 23, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/23/fake-news-washington-post-invents-meeting-between-fcc-chair-ajit-pai-and-president-trump/ Fake News: Washington Post Invents Meeting Between FCC Chair Ajit Pai and President Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 24, 2017.</ref>
Sometimes the controversial news is deliberately created by the White House. The White House has not announced a policy on recording meetings or phone calls. On May 12, 2017 President Trump suggested that his meetings with FBI Director [[James Comey]] may have been recorded.<ref>https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/863007411132649473</ref>
[[File:Tapetweet.jpg|left|image of tweet]]
{{clear}}
After his tweet, Trump refused to confirm or deny that he has been taping his meetings.<ref name=cnn>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/12/politics/trump-comey-tapes-recording-white-house/index.html|title=No one knows if Trump is making White House recordings -- and Trump won't say|work=CNN|date=May 12, 2017|accessdate=May 14, 2017}}</ref> Some news outlets ran with the fake news.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.breitbart.com/news/trump-warns-comey-better-hope-there-are-no-tapes-of-talks/|title=Trump warns Comey: Better hope there are no ‘tapes’ of talks|date=May 12, 2017|accessdate=June 25, 2017|work=breitbart.com}}</ref> On May 12, 2017, Reps. John Conyers and Elijah Cummings, both Democrats, requested copies of any such recordings from the White House counsel.<ref name=cnn/> On May 12, 2017, [[Adam Schiff]], the ranking members of the House Intelligence Committee demanded that Trump either hand over the tapes or "admit, once again, to have made a deliberately misleading — and in this case threatening — statement".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/12/adam-schiff-donald-trump-comey-tapes-238321|title=Schiff demands Trump turn over Comey 'tapes'|work=Politico|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=June 22, 2017}}</ref> Over the next six weeks, the White House press office,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/sean-spicer-trump-tapes-james-comey-2017-5|title=Sean Spicer won't deny Trump is recording private White House conversations, including with Comey|date=May 12, 2017|accessdate=June 25, 2017|work=Business Insider}}</ref> the White House Counsel, the Secret Service,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2017/The-U-S-Secret-Service-says-it-doesn-t-have-any-recordings-or-transcripts-of-any-tapes-recorded-within-President-Donald-Trump-s-White-House/id-348e15b497f2498284fd5f0e876570bd|title=The Latest: Secret Service says it has no Trump tapes|date=June 13, 2017|accessdate=June 23, 2017|work=Associated Press}}</ref> and Congressional staff spend hours discussing and trying to establish whether or not a White House taping system had been installed and whether President Trump had recorded his conversations with Comey.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/06/22/gingrich-just-admitted-trump-was-being-dishonest-about-white-house-tapes-because-nothing-matters/?utm_term=.3692172ef1d3|title=Trump’s bluff on White House tapes wasn’t just dishonest — it was also a failure|date=June 22, 2017|accessdate=June 23, 2017|work=Washington Post}}</ref> On June 22, 2017, President Trump tweeted that he did not record the Comey meetings or conversations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/22/donald-trump-james-comey-tapes-239878|title=Six-week ‘tapes’ saga comes to a very un-Trumpian end|work=Politico|date=June 22, 2017|accessdate=June 23, 2017}}</ref> However, his tweet was carefully worded to not answer the question about whether other White House meetings or conversations were being recorded. So, the mainstream media carried many stories over a six-week period (some of which comparing Presidents Trump and Nixon), when there was never any secret recordings.
====Russia investigation and James Comey hearing====