hoaxes

A hoax is a deliberate falsehood or deception presented as truth, created to mislead others. Hoaxes can take many forms, including fake discoveries, forged documents, staged events, and doctored images or videos. Unlike misinformation that may spread unintentionally, a hoax is designed and executed with the intention of deceiving an audience, often to gain attention, financial profit, or social or political influence.

Common forms include fabricated scientific claims, counterfeit news releases, imaginary artifacts, and social-media content that is engineered to look legitimate. Motives can range from mischief and satire to influence operations, personal fame, or commercial gain. Hoaxes can spread through traditional media, word of mouth, or online platforms, where rapid sharing can amplify their reach before they are debunked.

Impact can be broad and damaging. Hoaxes can distort public opinion, waste resources, undermine trust in institutions, and cause reputational harm to individuals or organizations. Some hoaxes have become parts of cultural lore or served as case studies in media literacy and fact-checking. Detection and response typically involve source verification, corroboration from independent authorities, forensic analysis of evidence, and public debunking by experts and journalists.

Notable examples include the Piltdown Man hoax (early 20th century, faked fossil evidence later exposed), the War of the Worlds radio broadcast (1938, which prompted reports of panic), the Cardiff Giant (19th century, a carved statue presented as petrified giant), and the Cottingley Fairies photographs (1917–1918, later acknowledged as staged).