I’m co-opting the name of the old television show to speak to the state of information today. I think it captures succinctly what is happening today regarding information here and around the world. Much is being said about “fake news” and how to arrest it. The “fixes” include Senator Warren’s break up the big social media companies and, as yet, unspecified other legislation. A recent Pew research study showed that the respondents felt it fell to journalists, and not the government, for a solution. Thank God! It would be nice to have journalists who don’t bring a heavy dose of liberal bias but don’t count on that.
The last time I looked, Facebook, Google, Associated Press et al, were private companies who relied on customers for their livelihood. It’s those customers that could and should insist that these companies provide fact-based information or label their content for what it is i.e. analysis, opinion, editorial. For the customer placed information, it should be, “hands off”. If they are to do something, once again, customers should insist on being told what they are or not doing or publishing. Make algorithms that promote information and company content available for scrutiny. None of us should advocate for government to act as censors of any information, whether perceived as fake, hateful, or any other label. The first amendment is first for a reason; it was intended to allow dissent to be disseminated through free discourse. Any incursion on this freedom only transfers more power away from the people.
Rather than throttling the flow of information, we must demand our educational system devise and teach critical thinking and how it applies to determining fact versus analysis and outright fiction. It should also teach what tools are available to research directly facts behind issues critical to be a fully engaged citizen. Civics courses must be upgraded to include not only “how a bill passes” but how to find and read a bill (Thomas.gov), how to petition your representatives (email, phone, office visit) and how to be respectfully, diligent in calling information providers accountable.
The last people I would trust to tell me what information is to be made available or should or should not believe, are the very people who I suspect of telling the lies. Politicians of every ilk are liars, either by commission or omission. They’re mostly lawyers who are trained in the art of obfuscation. Like campaign finance laws, they will write them to serve themselves and no one else. Instead, use your own head to figure out who is telling you the truth. I trust you to do your homework.
Current Day Publius 