The Alarming Growth of Pro-Trump Fake News and Its Impact on Society
With the rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation, the term 'fake news' has never been more pertinent. The biggest outlet for such content is Fox News, a propaganda tool used by Rupert Murdoch and his family to influence US politics and generate profit. According to the actual definition, fake news is content that poses as news or is produced by individuals or organizations who espouse views that are in opposition to those of Trump. However, it seems that the majority of fake news produced today is pro-Trump and can be found on right-wing pages and conspiracy theory sites.
The Deceptive Truth Behind Pro-Trump Content
One of the most striking examples of the prevalence of pro-Trump fake news is the phenomenon in North Macedonia. Macedonian fake news sites have been producing content that masquerades as American conservative news, targeting the upcoming US election. Villages in Macedonia are heavily involved in this deceptive industry, where creating pro-Trump fake news has become a significant source of income. This means that the notion of 'fake news' isn't a new concept; it existed in the 1930s, when the German Press under Hitler was called 'Lügenpresse' or 'lying press'. In the US, the term gained prominence during the Trump presidency.
Tracing the Origin and Evolution of Fake News
Tracing the origins of fake news, we find that the concept of fake news did not exist in its current form until the age of Donald Trump. Nevertheless, the term did exist in the past, specifically during the time of propaganda under Hitler. In the United States, the term gained traction with Trump's slogan, 'Fake news', which is still allowed as 'news' in certain contexts. He also coined the phrase 'alternative facts', which to most people would simply be termed 'lies'.
How Fake News Shapes Opinion
A recent discussion with a long-time US friend highlighted the impact of pseudo-news. Despite my assumptions that a reasonable person would not support Trump, my friend used YouTube and right-wing fake news pages as her primary news source. This shows how pervasive and influential these sources can be, and how they can shape opinions and beliefs.
The Argument Against Pro-Trump Fake News
Is pro-Trump fake news an accurate reporting of convenient truths that Trump wants to ignore? The answer is a resounding no. The majority of pro-Trump distortions can be found on Fox News TV rather than in written form. It's important to remember that fake news is not a new concept, and it's crucial to be discerning about the sources of information we consume.
If you're interested in learning more about the intersection between pro-Trump news and fake news, I've created a Venn diagram to illustrate the relationship. This visual representation will hopefully provide a clear understanding of the overlap between these categories. I invite you to review my work and provide your feedback.