18 Times Media Covered Up the Truth
Over the years, there have been shocking cases where news outlets twisted facts or left out key details.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Media cover-ups are not rare, and their effects can last for years. This article highlights 18 moments when the truth was hidden, altered, or delayed. Each story shows why it is important to think critically and not accept everything at face value.
1. The Washington Post’s Fabricated Pulitzer Story
Daniel Chester French (1850–1931) and Augustus Lukeman (1872–1935) on Wikimedia Commons
In 1981, Janet Cooke wrote a gripping piece about an eight-year-old drug addict that captured national attention. The story won her a Pulitzer Prize, but the boy was entirely fictional. It remains one of journalism’s most infamous scandals and the only Pulitzer ever revoked.
2. NBC’s Explosive Dateline Trick
NBCUniversal on Wikimedia Commons
Dateline producers staged a fiery truck crash to make their broadcast more dramatic. Instead of reporting the facts, they planted explosives to create a spectacle for viewers. When the truth came out, it badly damaged public trust in the show.
3. Duranty’s Soviet Famine Denial
Funk & Wagnalls Company; Francis Whiting Halsey; no phoographer credited on Wikimedia Commons
Walter Duranty of The New York Times dismissed reports of famine in the Soviet Union as propaganda. His glowing coverage of Stalin’s policies helped hide millions of deaths. Historians now see his reporting as a dark stain on journalism.
4. CBS and the Killian Documents Debacle
Kopiersperre on Wikimedia Commons
CBS aired memos questioning George W. Bush’s service record during the Vietnam era. Almost immediately, experts raised doubts about the documents’ authenticity. The fallout led to high-profile resignations and a major blow to the network’s credibility.
5. Sky News Fabricates Missile Launch
BSkyB on Wikimedia Commons
Sky News once staged a submarine scene to suggest a missile launch was happening live. Actors pushed a fake red button while dramatic narration played over the footage. The fabrication was quickly exposed, leaving viewers angry at being misled.
6. Reuters’ Photo Manipulation Scandal
Mohamed CJ on Wikimedia Commons
During conflict coverage, a Reuters photographer digitally altered images to exaggerate smoke and destruction. Once discovered, nearly 1,000 photos were pulled from circulation. It served as a warning about how easily images can be manipulated.
7. The New York Times and Gaza Hospital Misreporting
Tasnim News Agency on Wikimedia Commons
In the rush to cover a Gaza hospital explosion, The New York Times relied too heavily on one side’s account. Later evidence forced the paper to issue corrections and clarify its reporting. The mistake highlighted the risks of fast-moving wartime journalism.
8. The “Plastic Shredder” War Myth
Soddaa on Wikimedia Commons
A horrifying tale spread that Saddam Hussein executed people using a plastic shredder. The story made international headlines and fueled calls for military action. Later, it was revealed to be a complete fabrication.
9. Unverified Seth Rich Conspiracy
Fox News Channel. on Wikimedia Commons
After the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich, Fox News ran with unproven claims of political conspiracy. The story quickly spiraled into internet rumors and false accusations. The network eventually retracted the coverage, but the damage was already done.
10. Project Censored’s Biggest Media Omissions
Project Censored on Wikimedia Commons
Each year, Project Censored compiles stories that mainstream outlets largely ignore. These reports often involve government secrecy, corporate misconduct, or underreported crises. The project challenges people to question what doesn’t make the headlines.
11. Time’s Silence on the Chibok Girls
Suleiman.bako1982 on Wikimedia Commons
When Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls, global media paid little sustained attention. Coverage faded quickly compared to other tragedies. This silence revealed how some stories are valued less than others.
12. The Gell-Mann Amnesia of Hollywood PR
Nandancine on Wikimedia Commons
Hollywood scandals are often shaped by spin rather than fact. Public relations teams feed tabloids dramatic headlines that may not hold up. Readers consume them, forget past errors, and continue trusting the same outlets.
13. Legacy Media and Biden’s Cognitive Decline
The White House on Wikimedia Commons
Some critics argue that mainstream outlets avoided tough reporting on President Biden’s mental lapses. Instead, they gave the topic minimal coverage to avoid controversy. The choice raised questions about where loyalty ends and duty to the public begins.
14. German Press Justifies Journalists’ Killings
Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Wikimedia Commons
Certain German outlets portrayed Palestinian journalists as militants during the Gaza conflict. This framing was accused of excusing violence against the press. It showed how media narratives can endanger those risking their lives to report.
15. Western Media’s Gaza Reporting Bias
Alisdare Hickson from Woolwich, United Kingdom on Wikimedia Commons
Protests erupted in Houston against U.S. outlets accused of biased reporting on Gaza. Demonstrators claimed that journalists on the ground were being silenced or ignored. The rallies reflected growing frustration with how conflicts are covered.
16. The Times’ Corrections Page Exposed
News UK on Wikimedia Commons
The Times maintains a public page listing its errors and corrections. While embarrassing, the practice helps rebuild reader trust. It reminds audiences that accountability, not perfection, is what matters most.
17. Post-Truth Era Comes to Light
Heikki Leis on Wikimedia Commons
Oxford Dictionaries declared “post-truth” the Word of the Year in 2016, reflecting how emotions began to outweigh facts in political and social debates. During events like Brexit and the U.S. presidential election, misleading stories spread faster than verified news. This shift revealed how easily public opinion could be shaped by viral misinformation instead of evidence.
18. Media Literacy: Filtering Fact from Fiction
Dato (WMAM) on Wikimedia Commons
Schools and advocacy groups worldwide have started promoting media literacy programs to help people analyze what they read and watch. These efforts teach audiences how to verify sources, spot clickbait, and recognize bias in reporting.