The Opposite of Truth (in the broad sense of the term; not "lies")

If you say something that isn't true, you are broadcasting a lie.

But I'm searching for a term that can be used in a broader, largely political context. To put it in perspective, we might ask what the enemies of truth are. They include...

lies (e.g. Fukushima radiation is harmless)

lies of omission (e.g. WHAT radiation?)

propaganda (e.g. Fukushima radiation off the U.S. Pacific Coast is well below levels that meet government guidelines)

diversion (e.g. California's biggest problem has to be Bruce Jenner!)

So if all the factual information about Fukushima radiation (or any other topic) can be characterized as TRUTH, what would you call the sum of all the lies, propaganda and lies of omission?

If you can't think of a good term, I welcome suggestions for such a term (note the coin-a-term tag, which I created recently).

In fact, if it's allowed, I would tentatively like to accept TWO correct answers. If anyone suggests a really good existing term, that's the correct answer. But if anyone can also suggest a really cool new term, I'll give them 25 bonus points, if that's allowed. Actually, I've never offered bonus points before, so I'm not sure how it works, but I'm sure someone will help me figure it out ;)

P.S. I posted two tags - term and coin-a-term - but it rejected both, instead listing neologisms.

Solution 1:

Since nonstandard words and neologisms are allowed, I would suggest:

nontruth: That which is not true; a lie or falsehood. (Wiktionary)

Official references are sparse; for example, it's not defined but is referenced at dictionary.com.

The word has been increasing in popularity over the last half century as evidenced by this NGram.

I find this term preferable over a similarly appealing term ("untruth") because non- implies negation or absence, but unlike un-, doesn't imply the total opposite of or opposition to. See this Stack Exchange answer for more details.

Solution 2:

bunk. Because to "debunk" an assertion is to expose any and all of its falsehoods.