liar's dividend
The term "liar's dividend" describes the advantage gained by spreading false information, making it harder for people to distinguish between truth and lies.
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Definition
C1Media and Communication
(informal, journalism)The benefit obtained from spreading false information, which creates doubt and makes it difficult to identify the truth.
Example
- The politician's strategy relied heavily on the liar's dividend, leaving voters unsure of what to believe.
- Journalists often struggle with the liar's dividend when trying to debunk false claims.
C2Social Psychology
(academic, technical)The advantage gained by causing confusion and uncertainty through the dissemination of falsehoods, making it challenging to discern reality.
Example
- In the age of social media, the liar's dividend has become a significant challenge for maintaining public trust.
- Researchers study the liar's dividend to understand how misinformation affects societal beliefs.