Is it News?

False information or propaganda published under the guise of being authentic news. Sites set up to push this content do so in an attempt to mislead consumers of the content and spread misinformation via social networks and word-of-mouth.

• Fake News

• Gossip

• Fast News

• Conspiracy Theory

Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as true.

• Urban Legend

• Gossip

• Fast News

• Conspiracy Theory

Events as they are breaking. Often as told by eyewitnesses over social media like Twitter, Snapchat & Instagram.

• Urban Legend

• Disinformation

• Fast News

• Conspiracy Theory

The idea that many important political events or economic and social trends are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.

• Urban Legend

• Disinformation

• Rumour

• Conspiracy Theory

A modern story of obscure origin and with little or no supporting evidence that spreads spontaneously in varying forms and often has elements of humor, moralizing, or horror.

• Urban Legend

• Disinformation

• Rumour

• Deflection

False information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media.

• Hoax

• Disinformation

• Rumour

• Deflection

An unverified account that is circulating.

• Hoax

• Fake News

• Rumour

• Deflection

Stories created and circulated to turn attention away from stories that are in the local, national or global interest. Used by organizations, including governments to ‘bury’ bad news.

• Hoax

• Fake News

• Gossip

• Deflection

A made-up news story published to entertain or trick people.

• Hoax

• Fake News

• Gossip

• Urban Legend