Fake News

Fake News How It Spreads And Why It Matters

Fake news is everywhere. It’s on social media, on TV, and even coming from politicians. The problem is that some people believe it without checking if it’s true, and that can have consequences.

One of the latest examples is Donald Trump falsely claiming that Ukraine started the war with Russia. This is completely false. Russia invaded Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022, and that’s a fact. This invasion was reported on International News Channels: And other Global News Networks: But Trump, is going around saying Ukraine is to blame. News anchors and political experts were shocked because this is not true, yet some people might just believe every word he says.

Recently, Donald Trump said that Ukraine was responsible for the war with Russia and that Russia has the power to end the war, not Ukraine. It came up on all the news channels on the 19th of February 2025. This is misleading and dangerous because it rewrites history. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the whole world saw it. There’s satellite footage, video evidence, and international reports proving Russia attacked first.

So why would Trump say this? There are a few possibilities: He might be trying to shift blame away from Russia, maybe to appeal to certain voters who support a different foreign policy. He could be repeating false information that comes from Russian propaganda. He may just not care if it’s true or not, as long as it helps his argument. Either way, this is a perfect example of fake news. A powerful politician makes a false statement, some people believe it and it spreads. Who can say what goes on in President Trump’s mind?

What Is Fake News, Really? Fake news isn’t just about people lying It’s more than that. It can be: Completely false stories ( like saying Ukraine started the war when they did not). Misleading information (something with a tiny bit of truth but twisted to make people believe the wrong thing). Deepfake videos or altered images, that make it look like someone said or did say something they never actually did.

Fake news isn’t just political. It can be about health, technology, history, or anything for that matter. One of the biggest fake news stories in recent years was the conspiracy theory that linking 5G (the fifth-generation wireless network technology) to the virus, caused COVID-19. No correlation, between 5G and outbreaks -Many regions with high COVID-19 cases had no 5G at all. Scientists and health organizations dismissed the theory. The World Health Organization (WHO) and health experts repeatedly refute the claim. This was totally false, but people believed it so much that they started burning down phone towers. It was the most widely spread piece of fake news during the early months of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It claimed that 5G technology was responsible for the spread of the virus.-which was completely false. Despite having no scientific basis, this rumor gained traction on social media, leading to panic, protests, and even acts of vandalism.

Where Did This Fake News Come From?

The theory spread through social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, where misinformation often circulates unchecked. It brought together two separate fears. Fear of technology- 5G was a relatively new development, and some people were already skeptical about worrying health risks and fear of the unknown virus-COVID-19 was spreading fast, and people were desperate for explanations, even if they weren’t based on facts. A few influencers and conspiracy theorists started saying that 5G weakened the immune system, making people more vulnerable to the virus. Others took it further, suggesting that 5G was actually “spreading” the virus- even though viruses can’t travel on radio waves. Some People lost all reason and believed the lie, creating havoc in their lives.

The Real-World Impact: People Burning Phone Towers

The theory spread so widely that it led to violent consequences. In the UK, more than 80 phone towers were attacked, burned, or vandalized in April 2020 alone. Telecom engineers were harassed and even physically attacked while just doing their jobs. The conspiracy spread to other countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ireland, where similar fights broke out. Despite governments and scientists repeatedly denying the claim, some people refused to believe the truth, showing just how dangerous fake news can be when it spreads unchecked.

Why Did People Believe It?

Confirmation Bias- People already suspicious of new technology were quick to believe this theory because it aligned with their existing fears. Fake news spreads faster than real news, especially when it triggers strong emotions like fear and anger. Fake News Can Cause Real Damage. The 5G conspiracy theory is a prime example of how fake news can have real-world consequences. It led to property damage, fear, and even violence, all because of unfounded and completely false claims. This shows why it’s so important to fact-check information.

Fake news is often thought of as a national issue, with politicians and media figures accusing each other of spreading misinformation. But fake news isn’t just something that happens in Washington and the likes-it happens in small towns, local elections, and even personal lives. My family experienced this firsthand when my husband ran for office under “Christian Principle Party” many years ago. Suddenly, outrageous lies began to circulate. One rumor claimed that we had adopted a child and then given them back after a year, an unthinkable accusation for any loving parents, let alone a family with six children. Another rumor was even more malicious, suggesting my husband had a secret boyfriend for ten years. These lies weren’t just designed to damage his campaign; they were meant to destroy our reputation, our business, and our family. In a time when homosexuality was outlawed, such allegations were particularly dangerous.

People whispered, “There’s no smoke without fire.” That’s the insidious nature of fake news it plants doubt, even without evidence. The experience showed us how misinformation isn’t just a political tool; it’s a weapon that can tear apart families, businesses, and communities. Fighting Fake News isn’t just about media, It’s about protecting our real lives.

How To Spot and Stop Fake News

I don’t think that fake news can be stopped entirely, but I know that I can be smarter about what I believe and share. Here’s how: Check the source-Is it from a trusted news outlet, it might not be true. Real news is covered by multiple outlets. Watch out for emotional triggers- fake news designed to manipulate you.