Hillary Clinton blasts fake news "epidemic" in senator farewell speech

Defeated US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made a rare public appearance on Thursday in which she warned of the dangerous nature of so-called "fake news" articles.

The issue of falsified news articles appearing on social media websites has become a hot topic in the weeks following the election, including the high-profile controversy known as "Pizzagate", in which a piece appeared accusing Clinton and her campaign aides running a paedophile ring through a pizza shop.

Hundreds of fake articles were circulated in the weeks leading up to the November election about the campaigns of both Clinton and her victorious opponent Donald Trump.

A poll conducted by Ipsos and Buzzfeed found that 75% of people in the United States had believed a fake news article during the election campaign this year.

Speaking during a farewell dinner to veteran Democrat senator Harry Reid, Clinton referred to the issue as an "epidemic" which could cost lives.

"This is not about politics or partisanship. Lives are at risk, lives of ordinary people just trying to go about their days to do their jobs, contribute to their communities," Clinton said. "It is a danger that must be addressed and addressed quickly."

"It is imperative that leaders in both the private and pubic sector step up to protect our democracy and innocent lives," Clinton added.

Clinton has spoken out very little since her defeat to Trump, as she spends most of her time near her home in New York. She was widely expected to defeat the businessman to take the White House, but succumbed to a surprise defeat last month.