Are there any standards of journalistic integrity? Should there be? Truths about people (eg. so-and-so is a fraudster) are protected by libel laws. Dangerous truths (eg. "giant asteroid heading for earth, loot now!") by various laws.
But plain old truths? Obviously it's a disaster[1] to require people to prove every statement they make, freedom of speech would evaporate instantly. But should it be possible to prevent people spreading lies that don't immediately harm anyone?
What about textbooks asserting that atoms are individual? Printing lies about someone whose reputation is already ruined? Printing lies about history?
( Read more... )
Would an acceptable compromise be not to *ban* people printing unpalatable lies, but allow, under some circumstances, an injunction making them mark it "government certified lie"? Then, if you believe the reasoning, you can trust the source anyway. But if you don't know, you are alerted to be doubtful.
That rings true both for so-called "government certified lies" that I think are false -- eg. holocaust denial -- and those I think are true -- eg. evolution.
[1] Pun.
[2] Someone should fill me in on the details. I know enough that "CABAL" may have been used an amusing acronym, but was apparently a pre-existing word first, and most acronyms weren't. But enough not to report either as truth without checking some sources.
But plain old truths? Obviously it's a disaster[1] to require people to prove every statement they make, freedom of speech would evaporate instantly. But should it be possible to prevent people spreading lies that don't immediately harm anyone?
What about textbooks asserting that atoms are individual? Printing lies about someone whose reputation is already ruined? Printing lies about history?
( Read more... )
Would an acceptable compromise be not to *ban* people printing unpalatable lies, but allow, under some circumstances, an injunction making them mark it "government certified lie"? Then, if you believe the reasoning, you can trust the source anyway. But if you don't know, you are alerted to be doubtful.
That rings true both for so-called "government certified lies" that I think are false -- eg. holocaust denial -- and those I think are true -- eg. evolution.
[1] Pun.
[2] Someone should fill me in on the details. I know enough that "CABAL" may have been used an amusing acronym, but was apparently a pre-existing word first, and most acronyms weren't. But enough not to report either as truth without checking some sources.