Their articles — invented fluff with sensationalist headlines — found the eyeballs of a huge number of (mostly right-wing) readers. Many fake stories proved more viral on social media than important articles from real sources. Now, it seems the threat of fake news is stalking the democratic process elsewhere. The charged atmosphere of the moment prompted German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who represents a centre-right political party, to caution against alarmist hysteria generated via social media. Opinions aren’t formed the way they were 25 years ago,” she said Wednesday while addressing Germany’s Bundestag, or parliament.

Source: thestar November 23, 2016 21:17 UTC