In the US, President Donald Trump has popularised the notion of 'fake news' — it's usually stories the President doesn't like in mainstream media.

More generally, 'fake news' is deliberately planted disinformation, designed to spread division or favourable propaganda, often generated by State-sponsored individuals or agencies.

According to journalist Maria Ressa, the rise of social media in the Philippines has led to a government-sponsored propaganda war on Facebook. The increasingly ubiquitous social media platform is rapidly becoming a powerful instrument for spreading state-sponsored disunity and fear while helping to cement political control.