#IssuesAtStake: Rise of the fake news jockeys – North Coast Courier

Whatever your opinion of Donald Trump, theres no arguing he was a slogan master.

He was lightning fast on the draw to deflect tough questions, instantly creating mantras to shift the focus.

There were many, but his fake news catchphrase was a favoured arrow in his armoury to glibly dismiss probing media exposs and create his own narrative.

It caught up with him eventually, though. You can deflect the truth for only so long.

Yet, the unintended consequence of The Trumpets chant is that it became an international two-word anthem for conspiracy theorists lurking on social media platforms.

Whenever people want to dismiss credible news bulletins because these contradict their own untested opinions, or might reflect poorly on their actions, they simply whip out their fake news cards without offering verifiable facts of their own or entering into intelligent discourse.

The Donalds jargon jive held consequences for the formal mainstream media, increasingly under attack by conspiracy theorists pushing their own agendas.

Unlike social media on which any blunt pencil can post defamatory insults, irrational diatribes and their own fake news without accountability, the Fourth Estate doesnt have that liberty

Registered newspapers, such as The North Coast Courier, radio and TV channels cannot afford to publish or broadcast deliberate fake news.

They ascribe to and are bound by a very strict code of conduct developed and monitored by the South African Press Council. It is elaborate and you can find it on the councils website.

In essence, it protects the public against unethical journalistic practices.

Aggrieved parties can haul any media transgressors to the Press Ombudsman ([emailprotected]) in double quick time and they are quick to investigate and rule on the outcome.

So no, ethical mainstream media will not deliberately publish or broadcast false information, the consequences are simply too embarrassing.

The facts of every sensitive or controversial story have to be thoroughly checked and verified before going to print or hitting the airwaves. Failure to do so has dire repercussions.

This is not the case with the open house nature of social media.

The public should learn to understand the difference before they lap up all the fake news nonsense.

Admittedly, despite all the best efforts for zero mistakes in the mainstream media, errors do on occasion fall through the cracks, but this must be seen in context.

Any news outlet is reliant on official sources for information, who often pass on wrong facts for dissemination.

The increasing unprofessionalism in the communications sector contributes significantly to this dilemma.

One of the key codes of ethics is that the media must unwaveringly remain neutral.

They are never out to get anyone or pick sides. Reporting must always be accurate and fair, reflecting both sides of a story.

Unfortunately many news articles will offend and upset some parties at the wrong end of the stick, but the people have the right to know what is happening in their world good or bad.

That is the nature of the media beast.

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Original post:

#IssuesAtStake: Rise of the fake news jockeys - North Coast Courier