Is this Fake or News satire?

Filed in Media 30 comments

Of late, I have found some serious ‘falterations’ in the field of online journalism as has been discussed in the previous post. One genre that has been widely exploited by websites like Faking News, The Scoop Times and News That Matters Not (NTMN) is the news satire or news parody. In the present age of sensationalism saga in the television media, the fake news websites are ripping well. Faking News leads the news satire ‘business’ in India with over 49,000 Facebook fans followed by NTMN and the Scoop Times with around 2000 fans.

It suggests the growth of the media; the interest generated by fake news. But, satire doesn’t mean it has to be fake. Its not just about reporting any shits cooked on lame facts. It is not actually saying “I love you”, even if you don’t. Satire is something like saying the beautiful three letter word in-front of your biggest enemy followed by a frosty nose stare. AND, that grin face should be very VISIBLE when you write the whole story. NOT that easy. Right?

It seems a Pakistani News Agency took the news-satire genre by heart and started mixing fake with real news confusing the Pakistani media all together. The Islamabad based news content providing agency, Online Agency, quoted WikiLeaks quoting a United States cable accusing Indian army of wrongdoings. The news was nothing but fake and as WikiLeaks is releasing too much of information, it is impossible to track down a message cable by an ordinary user. The news was carried by top four Newspapers of Pakistan as Page 1 lead! The Gurdian took to task and confirmed that no such cables were released by WikiLeaks.

In general, we can say WikiLeaks was misused by the Pakistani news agency to propagate hatred against India, but, but but, if we see the larger picture; one thing remains the same – What about making the online media more accountable?

The fake news websites that I mentioned above at least gives the disclaimer right at their Home page that they are fake, but what about the bundle of fake information floating on the internet? Social media is said to be more informal and human, but are they actually, given the number of fake profiles and online social media experts bumping up every next door?

The Times of India carried an article about First World War on Cyberspace, agreed. WikiLeaks is taking head-on with the diplomatic, politically correct fake world and the exposure puts immediate attention to the internet for information and ‘action’. Its so easy to hack into ones system and score off invaluable information.

I don’t think its necessary to mention how else the unethical hackers can hurt you! The need – again mentioning – is to make the internet more authentic. Watchdog, be it a WikiLeaks-inspired or US-inspired, is the need of the hour. Till then, keep guessing and enjoy headlines like Sarkozy files suit against ‘insulting’ Lux-Cozi ads!

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Posted by Jayanta Deka @ 10 December 2010 30 comments

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Dec 10, 2010
6:14 pm

#1 Tanay :

“Satire is something like saying the beautiful three letter word in-front of your biggest enemy followed by a frosty nose stare. AND, that grin face should be very VISIBLE when you write the whole story. NOT that easy. Right?”

Well-described, and yeah, we don’t focus on fake news as much as on news satire. Fake news is just a format, which is misunderstood as “mere comedy” by newbies sometimes…
-Editor, News That Matters Not
Tanay´s last [type] ..Is this Fake or News satire

Dec 18, 2010
1:06 pm

#2 Iredell County DUI Lawyer :

I love this article! Great post. I enjoy satire, mainly because I think those who can do satire are geniuses. keep the cool posts coming!
Iredell County DUI Lawyer´s last [type] ..Hello world!

Dec 30, 2010
10:58 pm

#3 Bob :

I know it is mischievous, but I love it when I see an absurd comedic or satirical fake story get picked up and commented on by bloggers and serious news organisations. There have been some absolute peaches with The Onion!
Bob´s last [type] ..A Coming Of Age

Jan 7, 2011
11:45 am

#4 bobby jones golf :

well described definition of satire. fake is very much different from satire, just like what you mentioned. who needs fake news? it has nothing to do with humans. thanks for the post.

Jan 26, 2011
1:07 pm

#5 Anelli Xavier :

Yeah, in some places, people find news satire seemed to be fun and entertaining. I guess, it all depends on a person on how he or she will rely on a certain news, decides whether the news is fake or purely satire.

Jan 31, 2011
1:49 am

#6 reiseversicherung :

great article, you are telling great things i think setire something that shows you more about the things they are like you can get them easier

Feb 1, 2011
2:54 am

#7 FinallyFast :

It is really funny how the ‘fake’ news seems like it could be real. Thanks for the great article!

Feb 5, 2011
12:12 pm

#8 Lung Cancer Staging :

I am not against with news satire or what they call a fake news in a show or in the web as long as they will clarify that the purpose is just to entertain. It is also better not to make the serious issues as their topic for it may cause misunderstandings to others. Hope that people will not believe on the news they heard unless they confirmed it that they are true. By the way, you have a great post here! You gave us an awareness about news satire. Thanks!

Mar 11, 2011
10:48 pm

#9 Charleston Wedding Photographer :

News by nature for some is fake. Especially, when they try and stretch the truth to get viewers to watch their show.
Charleston Wedding Photographer´s last [type] ..Amanda Jordan Engagement

Apr 22, 2011
12:47 am

#10 Buhth :

hey your post are great, you haven’t post anything since 2010. hope to hear from you soon.
Buhth´s last [type] ..How to block unwanted sites

Apr 24, 2011
9:37 pm

#11 Horny Goat Weed :

I love the stand “made in china – popular in korea” that is class in a glass is that

Apr 27, 2011
3:30 pm

#12 Futons :

fake is very much different from satire, just like what you mentioned.

May 5, 2011
9:04 pm

#13 Kabir :

You should alert the owners of The Scoop Times about a copyright violation. The website http://www.theunrealtimes.com/ has copied their design and is writing fake news.

May 11, 2011
2:16 am

#14 Interior Design Directory :

I like reading some “fake” news now and then. I think we can always use some humor.

May 13, 2011
10:42 pm

#15 Jason :

Pretty funny article Jayante. I hope you blog more
Jason´s last [type] ..Choosing the right golf irons for your style

May 17, 2011
9:49 am

#16 Abstract Art :

They are simply trying to cash in on The Onion’s success. If there were no audience for this kind of writing, it simply would not exist.

It is purely writing for entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less.
Abstract Art´s last [type] ..Mark Rothko

May 25, 2011
1:03 pm

#17 Kids' Craft Blogs :

Here on US TV, there are takeoffs on various news events (which are usually humorous to begin with) all the time. But they are usually on talk shows or sketch shows, and the viewing audience knows that the performance is just a comedic bit.
Kids’ Craft Blogs´s last [type] ..Yo Ho- A Caribbean Pirates Wig for Me

May 30, 2011
11:25 am

#18 belly button ring :

Yea you are correct not sometime but mostly fake news seems to be correct as they are more charming and what we can do about bundle of fake information floating on the internet. how we can stop it?

Jun 1, 2011
2:46 pm

#19 PaulRo :

With satire can pass a hidden meaning. This is great.

Jun 1, 2011
4:33 pm

#20 flowers :

Fun and entertaining news satire.

Jun 8, 2011
8:29 pm

#21 Boston Car Service :

great article,it is really funny.I enjoy because I think those who can do satire are geniuses.

Jun 19, 2011
2:50 am

#22 Radial arm saw :

As it been already said it is great post about great people with great imagination)

Jun 30, 2011
7:45 pm

#23 Alex :

I think that fake is not very good for our brain.

Jul 8, 2011
9:04 pm

#24 whipped cream vodka :

thanks for the great article, write more often

Jul 25, 2011
5:30 pm

#25 smu email :

and the essence of the pictures I did not understand?

Aug 4, 2011
5:18 pm

#26 emma :

Hello,

Thank you for this great article !!
Keep the good job going
Emma

Aug 12, 2011
1:04 pm

#27 noemi @ education agencies :

I think reading satire news can be fun sometimes or if I’m just in the mood to read one. It can look deceiving at times so better to be very cautious.

Aug 25, 2011
1:21 am

#28 Gwen :

I appreciate satire sites, but I do think there is a great disconnect between satire news and the spread of disinformation on the net. It often seems that many website makers will make up whatever the heck they want to be real, and market it as science. Then others will go around referencing it (no one would post a lie would they?!?) and I bang my head against the proverbial wall and cry a little.