Let’s dismiss the term ‘fake news’ to combat misinformation

Abstract

The term ‘fake news’ is often used to describe misinformation in the media. However, the term is also commonly used to describe all types of misleading content—from intentional fabrications to minor reporting errors. Despite its popularity, the term ‘fake news’ fails to adequately define the problem of information disorder. Because it provides a misguided understanding of a complex issue. This commentary argues that the term is ambiguous to the extent that it complicates the same problem it seeks to describe.

Drawing on academic research, media analysis, and case studies, this commentary takes the position that the use of ‘fake news’ displaces more functional definitions—such as misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, and propaganda. This obstructs public understanding of information disorder and effective policy responses. It has also become a politically weaponized term as politicians and political actors misuse it to delegitimize and dismiss journalism, thereby decreasing public trust in the media.

This is a serious concern as the majority of journalism upholds professional standards and principles of accuracy and ethics despite occasional misleading contents. News is the product of established journalistic processes, and it means verified and contextualized information. The term news thereby should, by nature, be accurate, making adjectives such as ‘fake’ or ‘correct’ unnecessary. Journalism is our most effective weapon in fight against misinformation as it offers the strongest antidote to misleading contents: accurate information.

By framing the media as part of the problem rather than the solution, the ‘fake news’ narrative weakens the strongest weapon we have in our war against misinformation. This commentary concludes that abandoning the term ‘fake news’ in favor of clearer term misinformation is crucial for upholding public trust, supporting journalism, and helping citizens navigate often overwhelming and confusing contemporary information ecosystem.