Johnny-on-the-Spot … by John Foster …

Some important definitions first before I plow into today’s blog.

News.

“Newly-received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events”.

Fake News.

“False stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views, or, as a joke; false information that is broadcast or published as news for fraudulent or politically-motivated purposes”.

Lies.

“An untruth or falsehood; to say or write something you know is not true to deceive someone; a statement that is not true.”

It seems ironic because definitions of “fake news” and “lies” are very similar.

I think “fake news” is simply the new media way to say “lies”.

We “news consumers” have so many different ways to find news.

I grew up in the era when we had just a handful of networks.

ABC, CBS, NBC and Mutual.

We had two major wire services in the business; AP and UPI.

We also had newscasters and reporters we felt we could trust.

People like Walter Cronkite, Paul Harvey, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, John Chancellor, Howard K. Smith and Tom Brokaw to name a few.

There were even times when news reporters would opinionate but they always made that clear to the viewers/listeners that they were giving their opinion.

It was called commentary.

So, as consumers, we had fewer choices for news.

Was that bad?

For the most part, I think not.

It was easier to sift through the information and reach your own opinions.

Good grief!

Even newsman Walter Cronkite was once named “the most trusted man in America”.

Today, with more news outlets than you can shake a stick at, is there anyone who can come close to getting that honor?

Today, “talking heads” meander between news and opinion like a cow grazing in a field.

I think “Fake News” evolved from “breaking news” which was diluted by 24 hour news resources.

This is a familiar rant of mine but having worked for years in the news business, most news happens Monday through Friday, 6A-7P, when government is in session and business is occurring.

We don’t need 24 hour news.

We need good 6A-7P weekday news and we use “breaking news” to cover the other times.

Provided it’s actually newsworthy and not just because it hasn’t been shared yet.

The other thing that frosts my behind is actual reporting.

There was a time, I would never be able to put a story on the air without two separate, reliable news sources to back up my story if need be.

You developed that network by “going off the record” from time to time but that was for understanding or clarification.

A “gentlemen’s agreement” of sorts between you and your news sources.

But in today’s mad dash to get something new on the air or on-line, all the facts and info get glossed over.

I always like my news to be factual if not always first.

So, how do you get around fake news?

The BBC developed a “fake news glossary” that you filter news through.

Look for “bias, context, clickbait, disinformation, misinformation, opinion, parody or satire, reliability, source and verification”.

Here’s the problem.

In our “instant gratification society”, we don’t think we have the time to pass everything we hear or read through those steps.

That’s why we now have “fact-checkers”.

It’s why “false news/lies” is so effective today.

We don’t want the whole story.

Throw bits of information out and most will feel totally informed.

My Dad used to call it going off “half-cocked”.

We have created the perfect Petri dish for “fake news” or “lies” to survive and thrive in.

So how do we fix it?

This old newsman would say “less is more”.

Fewer 24 hour news channels.

Make “Breaking News” actually be something truly important.

If not, we get numbed.

Also, stand before a mirror when you hear a news story or a statement.

If one eyebrow makes your eye squint, while your lips purse and slide to one side, that’s your brain and heart letting you know something doesn’t sound right.

That’s your internal “BS” filter kicking in.

And, until the industry can installed “BS” filters on our current information sources. that will have to do.

Remember, Aldous Huxley told us, “Facts do not cease because they are ignored.”