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FAKE NEWS

Apr 25, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

The term fake news has been used constantly by Donald Trump during the presidential election campaign in the United States. At the time, there were several reports about possible Russian interference into the US presidential race which some media outlets contributed to President Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.
Just before the election, CNN had reported that that the Russians had damaging information on Mr. Trump and that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was aware of it. However, the story which was subsequently dubbed inaccurate, understandably attracted Trump’s wrath to label CNN fake news. However, CNN, the global pioneer of 24-hour television news coverage is a very reputable media organization with a reporting history that is not associated with fake news.
CNN is one of the most influential cable news networks in the United States and the world, so for Mr. Trump to label it “fake news” brought the phenomenon of “fake news” out of the media circles where it had been largely confined for decades.
However, it is clear that the targeting of CNN by Mr. Trump was motivated by more than this single story. As a businessman, CNN had on several occasions revealed some of Mr. Trump’s business tactics which were not always within the confines of the law. The billionaire businessman had viewed such negative reporting by CNN as an attempt to damage his image and reputation. But since his entry into the political arena, other mainstream media, including the New York Times, have faced similar accusations from Mr. Trump. The irony is that there is evidence to show that Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign benefitted immensely from the influence of the fake news media which swayed many voters in his favour.
The truth is, despite the best efforts by some media outlets to get their stories right every time, it is still likely that some will get it wrong every now and then. Contrary to what some may think, the media outlets do not manufacture stories or create fiction, they rely on those sources which they believe are trustworthy with whom they have developed some kind of relationship. Unfortunately, not all their sources are reliable.
To be clear, fake news is a type of hoax or the deliberate spread of misinformation by the media, especially the social media. It is written and published with the intent to mislead in order to gain financially or politically. It is intentionally misleading and deceptive and often employs eye-catching headlines or entirely fabricated news stories in order to increase readership regardless of the veracity.
As President of the most powerful country in the world, Mr. Trump ought to realize that he will be under intense scrutiny by the media, considered the fourth estate. That said, his attacks on CNN, the New York Times and other traditional media with the intent to discredit them, seems more like a case of trying to attack the messenger to divert public attention from his association with Russia and other issues.
It is an old political tactic that even though it seems quite plausible, it has not worked for Mr. Trump’s Presidency. His performance has been negative and disappointing and has reflected in the lowest rating of any president in recent history.
In Guyana, it is easy for media houses that are under the control of the opposition or the government to spread fake news. There is some truth that many Guyanese are susceptible to fake news because of their seemingly insatiable appetite for the juiciest stories. The government must face-up to the challenge of fake news or else its negative nature could make it become an easy prey for manipulation. Whether or not the other media outlets practice responsible journalism, this publication in particular, is mindful of its responsibility not to practice fake news and to reaffirm its commitment to the highest standards of journalism.
Its aim is to provide comprehensive and factual coverage of the various issues so that its readers and the nation as a whole are well-informed and can arrive at their own independent conclusions.

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