Journalists best defense against politicians

Don’t be fooled — fake news is real.

Here’s proof, from “Weekly World News:”

• “Punxsutawney Phil was found dead this morning in an apparent suicide.

“Terrified that the record-breaking snowfall would continue through March, Phil couldn’t face the possibility that his prediction might be wrong.”

More proof, from “The Onion:”

• “(Oscars) President Cheryl Boone Isaacs warned, ‘Only Hollywood’s A-list celebrities are permitted to make political statements in their acceptance speeches … If you’re nominated in any of the non-acting categories, it goes without saying that this (ban) especially applies to you.’”

President Trump told “Brietbart News,” “If you read the ‘New York Times,’ the intent is so evil and so bad … they write lies.”

Trump said the “fake news media” is “the enemy of the people.”

Of course, being critical or even making mistakes doesn’t qualify as “fake news.” Certainly, journalists should immediately apologize for and correct inaccuracies.

I’ve worked with media members for years, but have never met “The Media” — only individuals from a variety of competing outlets.

Most have been fair and conscientious. Like other professions, journalists take pride in upholding ethical standards.

No matter where or to whom facts lead, I’ve never met a reporter who would pass on a career-making story.

The truth is biased toward facts, while alternative facts and lying are identical twins.

The wisest course for politicians is to be candid and transparent. Americans are forgiving of honest mistakes and sincere contriteness — but not dishonesty and cover-ups.

I’ve never known a genuine journalist who intentionally lies. (Alex Jones and his clones are not journalists.)

Politicians who want to stake the high ground in calling critical media “fake news” are obligated to role-model absolute fealty to facts.

Media members play indispensable roles in exposing corruption and masked agendas for robbing the defenseless. An unfettered press provides a unifying voice amplifying ordinary individuals’ modest expectations of reasonably fair social and economic systems.

(Most working-class citizens are even willing to share a little of their meager treasure with the dispossessed beyond our arbitrary borders — knowing “there but for the grace of God…”)

Journalists’ unflinching digging for and publicizing of facts is the best defense against politicians — our employees — assaulting our freedoms by weaponizing the disingenuous wolf’s cry of “fake news.”

Contact Wendel Sloan at: [email protected]