'Fake news' named word of the year 2017
November 02, 2017  15:43
image
Fake news, a term heavily popularised by US President Donald Trump, been named the word of the year by Collins dictionary due to its widespread use around the world.


The UK-based lexicographer found that the use of "fake news" registered a 365 per cent rise in the last 12 months, reflecting Trump's consistent use of the word in the wake of the 2016 presidential election in retaliation to unflattering media coverage.


Defined as "false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting", fake news takes over from Brexit -- which was named the definitive word last year after the June 2016 referendum in favour of the UK's exit from the European Union (EU).


"Fake news, either as a statement of fact or as an accusation, has been inescapable this year, contributing to the undermining of society's trust in news reporting," said Helen Newstead, Collins' head of language content.


The US President has regularly used the phrase to criticise certain media reports and most recently claimed this week that the "fake news is working overtime" in connection to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. -- PTI
« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES