I have read all the discussion above and I would like to add my 2 cc.
The main reason why rumors and fake news appears in common knowledge is the lack of knowledge from trusted sources. For many, many years there was almost no official information from wizards/Archs/Keeper regarding how Genesis and different its part are working, what new projects are under development, which new areas or guilds are open, etc. And when someone has noticed some new armor or weapon in someone's hands, especially top eq or in hands of very well know and usually big player it was a perfect source for a new rumor. For sure some friendly wizard has coded something for his friend. The same with some elite guilds like Vamps, or first WoHS opened 20 years ago. These guilds were available only for limited number of players. And what about quests? In times when everything was a secret, you formally couldn't share any quest info even with a friend who was sitting next to you in the computer lab (yes, 20 years ago you had to go to the computer lab to play Gen !!
) and there were people who had 3-4 times more qexp even you did all quests you knew?
So a big part of Gen community has grown in such an environment. And I think the majority or at least a big part of us is still the same group of players, only 20 years older. But our habits are our second nature and we don't believe in what we can see. Conspiracy is a better and easier solution for all our questions than answers that based the common sense you try to promote Cherek. Sorry, but in my opinion, it is like that.
How to change it? I think the best solution is what Arman started a few years ago - open communication with a Gen community. As a Liege of Krynn he has started with his yearly development plans (pity there are no more updates these plans in Krynn and other domains, these posts were very much expected). Next as an Arch of Balance he has started to
explain a lot of issues related with balances. Most of us were very surprised in a very positive way when we were read his notes here on the Forum. And I didn't meet with many rumors and fake news related to issues he explained in his posts.
Next, you Cherek and even Mirandus lately have joined this "explain to players" policy. There were more posts with explanations of some decisions in last 2 years than in 20 before. And look. When you explain what has happened, what decision and action were done, 90% of rumors die. How many rumors were related with Cassius dead in the Sparkle church before Mirandus have posted his note? And how much after it?
So, please follow this "disclosure policy" and you will face much less fake news and rumors.