ca
nard
Plural
canards
1
a baseless and made-up story or news report created to mislead people
A canard is a false or misleading story, rumor, or piece of information that is spread deliberately to deceive or mislead others, often for political, financial, or other reasons. In journalism, a canard refers to a piece of news that is not true or is exaggerated, typically aimed at harming someone's reputation or causing confusion. It can be spread through various forms of media, including newspapers, television, or social media. A canard differs from a mistake or misunderstanding, as it is intentionally fabricated or distorted to serve a specific purpose. Journalists aim to avoid spreading canards by verifying information before reporting it and relying on credible sources. The spread of canards can harm trust in the media and contribute to misinformation.
- The tabloid newspaper published a canard claiming that aliens had been sighted in the local park.
- Despite being debunked by experts, the conspiracy theory continued to circulate as a canard among certain groups.
- The politician's opponents accused him of spreading canards about his opponent's personal life to discredit her campaign.
- Social media platforms are often used to spread canards and misinformation, leading to confusion and distrust.
- The author's latest book explores the origins and impact of various historical canards throughout the centuries.