võltsuudised

Võltsuudised refers to fabricated news stories designed to deceive readers. The term, a combination of "võlts" (fake) and "uudised" (news), is commonly used in Estonian to describe misinformation and disinformation presented as legitimate journalism. These stories often mimic the style and format of real news outlets to appear credible.

The motivations behind creating võltsuudised are varied. They can be spread for political purposes to influence public opinion, for financial gain through advertising revenue on fake news websites, or simply for malicious intent to cause confusion and sow discord. The rapid spread of information online, particularly through social media platforms, has made it easier for võltsuudised to reach a wide audience quickly.

Identifying võltsuudised requires critical thinking and media literacy. Common characteristics include sensationalized headlines, lack of credible sources, emotional appeals rather than factual reporting, and unusual website domains. Fact-checking websites and cross-referencing information with reputable news organizations are effective strategies for discerning real news from fake. The rise of võltsuudised poses a significant challenge to informed public discourse and trust in media.