Rumor (Latin fama or rumor) is a form of collective communication that creates public spheres. Spread by hearsay, without a definable author and without being tied to a specific medium, rumors are publicly available elements of oral and written cultures. As uncontrolled speech, rumors address core cultural, social, political, and economic aspects of a society (Society [community]), which they comment on, criticize, correct, control, and regulate. Rumors arise in situations of crisis and thus constitute a central element of political, religious, and social public spheres.

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