Final answer:
The 'Pizzagate' conspiracy is an example of fake news leading to a real-world violent incident, and widespread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has led to public health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of fake news having real consequences can be observed during the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. A notorious incident was the 'Pizzagate' conspiracy, which was a fake news story masquerading as actual news, alleging a child sex ring involving high-profile politicians. Lacking any basis in fact, the story spread on social media and prompted a man to fire a weapon inside a Washington, D.C. pizzeria in December 2016, under the belief that he was rescuing victims of a non-existent criminal operation.
In a different context, the spread of disinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic had grave impacts on public health. Fake news stories related to the virus and its vaccines have led to vaccine hesitancy and resistance, which in turn has hampered the global efforts to contain the pandemic. Notably, research found that a small number of individuals were responsible for the majority of vaccine misinformation on social media, showcasing how powerful false narratives can be in shaping public behaviors and beliefs, sometimes with life-or-death consequences.