noun
reaching others' ears; publicity
Used in negative or cautionary contexts, often as 他聞をはばかる or 他聞を気にする, meaning to worry about what others might hear or about becoming publicly known.
その話は他聞をはばかる内容だった。
The story was something one would hesitate to let others hear.
彼は他聞を気にして小声で話した。
He spoke in a low voice, concerned about being overheard.