User:Fakuation

Fakuation (fay-cue-ay-shun) is a type of journalism that represents fake or made up information about certain issues, events, news, etc. It is the process of intentionally spreading false information through various forms of mass media. This is done usually for profit and to gain audience. It commonly uses over-exaggerated headlines that lead the reader to believe that these stories could be true by the extent to which the validity of the information inside is mostly false.

History
Fakuation dates back to the the late 19th century with the battle between the New York World and the New York Journal sparked the term Yellow Journalism, first coined by the editor of the New York Press, Erwin Wardman. Yellow Journalism was possibly a mutation from earlier terms. Yellow Journalism was first defined as a type of journalism that has almost no researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. This includes exaggerations, paying more attention to scandal and sensationalism. Fakuation is the action of making Yellow Journalism to an extent, because both present journalism in an unethical, immoral, and unprofessional fashion.

The term can also be brought back to muckraking; a term that started in the mid-19th century used for reform-minded journalists who write to popular magazines and newspapers with their main purpose to reform and make changes to society. This resembles fakuation, which is a term considered to be improper and unethical journalism that is written for other reasons other than to inform the public of necessary information.

Forms
Fakuation is pure sensationalism in journalism. This type of journalism is seen throughout various types of media including television, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, etc. Some of the most prominent fakuated news magazines are the National Inquirer and the National Examiner, known best for being popular supermarket tabloids. The Onion is also a marketable satirical news source, reporting national, international, and local news sensationally. Internationally The Private Eye, a reputable satiric news source in England, is comparable to The Onion. Fakuation is also seen greatly throughout website and television news sources including TMZ and Fox News Channel.

Role in Society
Fakuation journalism is a double edged sword in the sense that both consumer and producer reap benefit from its existence. The sensationalist qualities of Fakuation media serve as entertainment to the general public. Often hugely exaggerated, borderline comedic, Fakuation can be viewed as an escape from the typically negative realities that “real news” portrays. The more the public falls for this type of journalism, the more money media conglomerates rake in. It is most ironic to note that Fakuation claims to be “real news”, and this adds to the public mystique.

Legalities
The spreading of false information through mass media is in most cases protected under specific statutes in libel laws. Most specifically to note, it is difficult to accuse Fakuation journalists of defamation of character with false news. The reason being is intent for malice is overlooked by the fact that in most cases clearly it is a joke. Navigating the line between humorous and defamatory is much easier for the side of the defense and for this reason Fakuation is alive and growing.

See Also:

 * Yellow journalism
 * Muckraker
 * Tabloid journalism
 * Supermarket tabloid