ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses President Donald Trump has popularized the term "fake news" in a series of tweets in which he has criticized stories and news organizations with which he disagrees. It describes technological changes, including the spread of social media, have allowed false stories to disperse rapidly across the Internet. The chapter investigates into Russian attempts to influence the 2016 US presidential election, in part by distributing false news stories, have heightened Americans' attention to the topic. It begins by tracing the origins of false news before turning to news politicization. While false news and news politicization may have the ability to influence people's thinking on specific issue—or influence their evaluations of specific politicians—there are some broader potential impacts of fabricated news as well. The politicization of information involves the strategic, selective use of facts or rhetoric to bolster a particular political agenda and arguments supporting it.
