Fake news is a term thrown around often nowadays, with one using the term to define falsified news articles and the secret agenda behind them. Although the term originated in the mainstream media today, falsified media has always existed in some form of the news. One such fake news story gave rise to one of the most popular horror stories in history: the killing spree of Jack the Ripper.
In the year 1888, there was a count of eleven murders in the Whitechapel district of East London. The reporting of these murders found its way in great, graphic detail in all of the newspapers. These newspapers sold well, leading many in the business to become fear-mongers. Upon receiving a nice profit from the high-profile case, many decided to continue selling their readers fake news. One such case was when “Two young men, full of drink, were arrested and charged with spreading fake news." William Macdonald and George Write, were in Wright’s Lane in Kensington where those on the streets heard them shouting the words “Arrest of Jack the Ripper Tonight." The police quickly arrested the two news vendors for spreading fake news. However, the court later discharged both men. Another news vendor charged with spreading fake news about Jack the Ripper was James Kendrick. James was a special case because of the extreme measures he took to sale newspapers. Newspaper sales began to slow, so he ran a story about a “Horrible Discovery of a Missing Woman at Charing Cross” (The Social Historian). After this original story, he began to start rumors about more missing women found dead at Charing Cross. The rumor led to more people purchasing newspapers only to find no such article in the newspaper. The public took the matter to the police and with it the sentencing of Kendrick to 14 days in prison plus hard labor.
In present day, people have theorized that even the letters passed off as evidence of the existence of Jack the Ripper may indeed be forgeries.
Falsified news has always been a problem for as long as news has been profitable. News organizations have always, one way or another, capitalized on fear in order to make a quick buck. Fake news and fear-mongering are everywhere and if we are not careful, we can fall prey to consuming and spreading it.
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