Why precision matters.
“Fake news” became a global insult.
But it was never a clear category.
This thread explains why vague, viral language is dangerous—and how we fight it.
“Fake news” became a global insult.
But it was never a clear category.
This thread explains why vague, viral language is dangerous—and how we fight it.
Cunha et al. (2018) show that “fake news” changed fast.
It went from describing satire and hoaxes—to being a political weapon, media frame, and emotional trigger.
But its definition never caught up.
It went from describing satire and hoaxes—to being a political weapon, media frame, and emotional trigger.
But its definition never caught up.
Why is that a problem?
Because vague terms are:
Easy to politicize
Hard to challenge
Ripe for manipulation
If “fake news” can mean anything, it can be used against everything.
Because vague terms are:
Easy to politicize
Hard to challenge
Ripe for manipulation
If “fake news” can mean anything, it can be used against everything.
What “fake news” often gets used to describe:
False content
Biased reporting
Unfavorable coverage
Satire
Political opposition
Journalism itself
Different things. Same label. No clarity.
False content
Biased reporting
Unfavorable coverage
Satire
Political opposition
Journalism itself
Different things. Same label. No clarity.
Precision isn’t pedantic—it’s protective.
When language loses meaning, so does accountability.
We can’t fix what we can’t name.
And we can’t fight disinformation with words that collapse under pressure.
When language loses meaning, so does accountability.
We can’t fix what we can’t name.
And we can’t fight disinformation with words that collapse under pressure.
The authors warn us early:
By 2018, the emotional weight of “fake news” had already overtaken its meaning.
We didn’t just lose a term—we lost a tool.
That matters more in 2025 than it did then.
By 2018, the emotional weight of “fake news” had already overtaken its meaning.
We didn’t just lose a term—we lost a tool.
That matters more in 2025 than it did then.
This is how information ecosystems erode.
Not just through lies—but through linguistic entropy.
When concepts become weaponized and vague, facts have no stable ground to stand on.
Not just through lies—but through linguistic entropy.
When concepts become weaponized and vague, facts have no stable ground to stand on.
So what can we do?
Use specific terms: disinformation, satire, propaganda, misinformation
Clarify intent and context
Resist viral language that invites outrage without accuracy
Teach how meaning shifts—not just what’s true.
Use specific terms: disinformation, satire, propaganda, misinformation
Clarify intent and context
Resist viral language that invites outrage without accuracy
Teach how meaning shifts—not just what’s true.
The real fight isn’t over facts.
It’s over frames.
Over definitions.
Over who gets to name what’s real.
Words are weapons.
So choose them like it matters.
Because it does.
It’s over frames.
Over definitions.
Over who gets to name what’s real.
Words are weapons.
So choose them like it matters.
Because it does.
Final takeaway:
“Fake news” didn’t just label a problem.
It became one.
And it reminds us: in the battle for truth, language is the first terrain.
#FakeNews #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy
“Fake news” didn’t just label a problem.
It became one.
And it reminds us: in the battle for truth, language is the first terrain.
#FakeNews #Disinformation #MediaLiteracy
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