The concept of “fake news” is global, but 假新闻 (jiǎ xīnwén) has a specific flavor in the context of modern China. It exists in two primary forms: 1. “Bottom-up” Misinformation: This is the type most familiar to Westerners. It includes rumors, conspiracy theories, and clickbait articles that spread organically (or through paid campaigns) on social media platforms like WeChat (微信) and Weibo (微博). These often relate to health, safety, or celebrity gossip. The Chinese government actively works to “debunk rumors” (辟谣, pìyáo) to maintain social stability. 2. “Top-down” Propaganda and Censorship: This is where the cultural contrast is sharpest. While Western media is often accused of bias, China has state-controlled media (官媒, guānméi) that is explicitly tasked with promoting the government's agenda. Critics, both inside and outside of China, may label official reports as 假新闻 if they are perceived as propaganda that omits inconvenient truths or presents a heavily skewed version of events. Using the term this way within China can be politically sensitive. The government's fight against 假新闻 is often framed as a necessary measure to protect “social harmony” (社会和谐, shèhuì héxié) and prevent chaos, which serves as a justification for its extensive system of internet censorship.
假新闻 is a term you'll encounter frequently, especially online.
Its connotation is almost universally negative, implying deliberate deception.
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 假新闻 (jiǎ xīnwén) and 谣言 (yáoyán).
False Friend: 宣传 (xuānchuán) Do not confuse 假新闻 with 宣传 (xuānchuán). While Westerners often translate 宣传 as “propaganda” with a negative connotation, in official Chinese its meaning is closer to “publicity” or “to promote.” A government campaign to encourage recycling is 宣传. While propaganda can certainly contain 假新闻, the term 宣传 itself is not inherently negative or false in Chinese.