What is a smear campaign?

A smear campaign is a deliberate and malicious effort to harm someone's reputation or credibility by spreading false or misleading information about them to the public. It can be done through various means, including social media posts, rumors, gossip, and negative publicity. Smear campaigns are often politically motivated, used in business rivalries, or personal vendettas. They aim to damage the reputation and credibility of the target person or group, usually causing them to lose the trust of the public and suffer from social, professional, and personal consequences. Smear campaigns can be devastating and challenging to counter, as they often tap into people's emotional responses and prejudices, making it challenging to undo the negative impact.