History Main / FictionAsCoverUp

* Something similar is hinted at in VideoGame/DeusEx. The conspiracy makes artifical life-forms called Grays that resemble the popular idea of aliens (round heads, gray skin) and is implied to let rumours about them circulate as a smokescreen for what they are really up to in the Area 51 facility.

* In AlanDeanFoster's ''Quozl'', a human friends of the rabbit-like aliens stranded on Earth produces a kiddie cartoon show about rabbit-like aliens stranded on Earth. Her brother confronts her about it, but she waves him off when she makes him realize that anyone claiming that cartoon characters actually live in a national park would never be taken seriously. As for the real Quozl, they discover the broadcasts and while they are insulted and feel used by her, they realize that trying to interfere with the broadcasts would do far more harm than good and instead insist on being secret creative consultants in order to make the situation more bearable and perhaps use it to their advantage when they [[TheUnmasquedWorld come out of hiding]].

* In AlanDeanFoster's ''Quozl'', a human friends of the rabbit-like aliens stranded on Earth produces a kiddie cartoon show about rabbit-like aliens stranded on Earth. Her brother confronts her about it, but she waves him off when she makes him realize that anyone claiming that cartoon characters actually live in a national park would never be taken seriously. As for the real Quozl, they discover the broadcasts and while they are insulted and feel used by her, they realize that trying to interfere with the broadcasts would far more harm than good and instead insist on being secret creative consultants in order to make the situation more bearable and perhaps use it to their advantage when they [[TheUnmasquedWorld come out of hiding]].

* Inverted by the White Counsel in ''TheDresdenFiles'', which arranged for the publication of ''{{Dracula}}'' in order to expose the Black Court vampires' secrets and vulnerabilities.

* Inverted by the White Court in ''TheDresdenFiles'', which arranged for the publication of ''{{Dracula}}'' in order to expose the rival Black Court's secrets and vulnerabilities.

* The AlternateRealityGame based on the {{Transformers}} films indicate the franchise is truly one of these, with TransformersGenerationOne being a ruse to hide first contact between our races and the films being a response to increased Decepticon activity. [[ActorAllusion Agent]] [[HugoWeaving H. Weaving]] was assigned to the films to maintain utmost control.

** Apparently, this was a {{defictionalization}} of [[EpilepticTrees a fan theory]] claiming that the StargateVerse itself is an example of this trope, with the shows being used to [[ConspiracyTheory cover up a real-life Stargate program]].
*** There was actually [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_Project a real (and now-declassified) "Stargate" program]], only it [[NamesTheSame involved research into remote viewing]], and was ended in 1995 due to a failure to produce results. Or so they say...

* In AlanDeanFoster's ''Quozl'', the rabbit-like aliens stranded on Earth produce a kiddie cartoon show about rabbit-like aliens stranded on Earth. An inversion, as they do this so its viewers will be receptive to their friendly overtures when the real Quozl [[TheUnmasquedWorld come out of hiding]].

* In ''KimPossible'' is turns out that Area51 really is filled with aliens and captured spacecraft that the government is experimenting on, and the government deliberately leaked all the rumors and conspiracy theories to the public because they knew nobody would really believe it if "the truth" ever got out. Kim and Ron are understandably perturbed that that they are being asked to help keep a secret that everybody already knows.

We've all seen ''CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'', ''{{The X-Files}}'' and ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer''. But what if these stories weren't false, but rather, made to distract people from the real aliens, government conspiracy and vampires?

* ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer:'' Dracula got Stoker to write his book to pump up his street cred. Other vampires thought it was a really dick move, because it let the normal humans in on a lot of their secrets.

* In ''[[WebComic/RichsComixBlog A Time to Kill]]'', the [[Series/DoctorWho Doctor]] tells Donna that this is a fairly common practice. JamesBond (who they've just met) and [[StargateSG1 "the SGC"]] both use it, and even ''he'' had a TV show once. Unfortunately, it got cancelled in the late '80s...

* The "[[ShowWithinAShow Wormhole X-Treme!]]" show on ''{{Stargate SG-1}}''. The U.S. Air Force decided that it could prevent any future leaks of information about the Stargate program from being taken seriously. Subverting the popularity part, the show was apparently cancelled after something like two episodes. [[Film/{{Serenity}} But got a movie. Based on its DVD sales.]]
** Apparently, this was a {{defictionalization}} of [[EpilepticTrees a fan theory]] claiming that the StargateVerse itself is an example of this trope, with the shows being used to [[ConspiracyTheory cover up a real-life Stargate program]]. There was actually [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_Project a real (and now-declassified) "Stargate" program]], only it [[NamesTheSame involved research into remote viewing]], and was ended in 1995 due to a failure to produce results. Or so they say...

** Ironically, the Raidou Kuzunoha reference was [[http://www.atlus.com/forum/showpost.php?p=91741&postcount=16 solely a product of the localization]]; in the original Japanese version, it was actually a reference to both [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosuke_Kindaichi Kosuke Kindaichi]] mystery novels and the ''KindaichiCaseFiles'' manga/anime/live-action adaptations.

* As well as most of the {{Expy}} science fiction shows the main characters are fans of, in ''{{Fans}}!'' even shows like ''SesameStreet'' are apparently constructs funded by the F.I.B to serve this purpose. The Count? Really a vampire.

Such a show is always [[NoDelaysForTheWicked popular.]] Thus the Conspiracy shows a power that's unimaginable [[FridgeLogic when you think about it.]]

* IsaacAsimov's short story ''Paté de foie gras'' describes a group of scientist who have found a goose who laid golden eggs; after testing every theory they could think of to figure out why, they decided to write about the exploit in hopes of getting advice from outside sources. Due to the need for secrecy, they of course published it as a fictional short story, safe in the knowledge that no one would believe it...

* Some conspiracy theorists believe that films (especially ''Film/{{ET|The Extraterrestrial}}'') and other media featuring aliens are secretly meant to acclimate the public with extraterrestrials to ensure they will be welcomed enthusiastically when the government reveals their existence.

** Apparently, this was a {{defictionalization}} of [[EpilepticTrees a fan theory]] claiming that the StargateVerse itself is an example of this trope, with the shows being used to [[ConspiracyTheory cover up a real-life Stargate program]]. There was actually [[http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_Project a real (and now-declassified) "Stargate" program]], only it [[NamesTheSame involved research into remote viewing]], and was ended in 1995 due to a failure to produce results. Or so they say...

** Apparently, this was a {{defictionalization}} of [[EpilepticTrees a fan theory]] claiming that the StargateVerse itself is an example of this trope, with the shows being used to [[ConspiracyTheory cover up a real-life Stargate program]].
*** "Stargate" was actually the name of a real project - [[NamesTheSame involving psychics]]. Or so they say...

* Some conspiracy theorists believe that films (especially ''{{ET}}'') and other media featuring aliens are secretly meant to acclimate the public with extraterrestrials to ensure they will be welcomed enthusiastically when the government reveals their existence.

* In ''[[WebComic/RichsComixBlog A Time to Kill]]'', the [[Series/DoctorWho Doctor]] tells Donna that this is a fairly common practice. James Bond (who they've just met) and "the SGC" both use it, and even ''he'' had a TV show once. Unfortunately, it got cancelled in the late 80s...

* In ''Film/{{Paul}}'', the titular alien explains that the government commissioned movies about aliens not to make people skeptical about their existence, but in order to prepare society for FirstContact. Paul himself was responsible for, among other works, ''CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'' and ''Series/TheXFiles''.

* In ''Film/{{Paul}}'', the titular alien explains that the government commissioned movies about aliens not to make people skeptical about their existence, but in order to prepare society for FirstContact. Paul himself was responsible for, among other works, ''CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'' and ''Series/TheX-Files''.

* Inverted in ''{{Paul}}'', where the titular alien explains that the government commissioned movies about aliens not to make people skeptical about their existence, but in order to prepare society for FirstContact. Paul himself was responsible for, among other works, ''CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind'' and ''TheXFiles''.

* In the ''{{GURPS}}'' setting ''Illuminati'', the Conspiracy encourages the WeeklyWorldNews and similar publications to write up stories about conspiracy so that the Serious Press won't believe them.