The modern debate over fake news traces its roots back nearly nine decades, when concerns about fabricated stories first gained widespread attention. Historical accounts suggest that the phenomenon emerged as a significant issue during a period marked by political polarization and the rapid spread of misinformation. While today’s digital age has amplified the problem, the foundations of this challenge were laid long before smartphones and social media. Understanding its origins may offer key insights into why the problem persists—and how to address it.
Our current obsession with fake news really began 88 years ago.
