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Caught in Lies: A Web of Falsehoods

     Whenever I read a news article, I almost always consider that it may or may not be real. Typically, I get my news from trusted news media that I have run fact checks on. While I have noticed that certain news outlets have become increasingly biased since the recent American election, they've rarely given false coverage, and have taken down the stories upon realizing their false authenticity. If I'm genuinely surprised by something I read or believe that it's untrue, I check to see if anyone else is reporting a similar story. 

      The fact that professional journalists fabricated news for the sake of their story didn't exactly surprise me. Its almost something to be expected, with the so-called rise of "fake news", and an increasing amount of bad publicity. Whether they be a professional journalist or a random person with more than enough time on their hands, anyone can create fake news with a little creativity in mind. 

      I partially agree with Shafer's statement that “most liars make things up for the simple reason that they don't have the talent or the ability to get the story any other way.” While it is true that some journalists will intentionally use false information in their stories in order to have it published, some people intentionally fabricate news stories for the sake of drawing attention to/away from someone or something. Given what Shafer's arguing, I believe universities and colleges should discuss the consequences of purposely publishing false news stories to their journalism students. It's difficult to ensure that the "I will not tell a lie" doctrine is instilled into every single journalist, so merely covering the repercussions of fabricating news in the world of journalism will at least create a bubble of self doubt when some of them think of lying in a piece. 

      When issues of ethics arise, a newspaper ombudsman should help, assuming that they are indeed independent, and are absolutely free of bias in the particular scenario. Newspaper ombudsmen are essential in cases regarding news outlets, as they provide a third-party view point and opinion, and can help resolve differences in a way that is mutually beneficial for all of those involved. 

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