# Biden should appoint a Fake News Czar **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 25, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387 "2020-11-25T03:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/21 "2020-11-25T20:17:31Z")
I’d love to see greater safeguards against “public figures”\* spreading “bad”\* information knowingly. If info is demontrably and proveably false, it should be punished. (eg: fake corona virus cures, Obama was born in Kenya, etc etc) - Yeah I know - how to define ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/22 "2020-11-25T20:18:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > In what way is that proposal “restricting speech”? It’s the American Conservative’s God-Given right to believe whatever lies Mark Levin is telling this week without having to hear facts that contradict it! ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/23 "2020-11-25T20:20:53Z")
You never answered the question. Why should said “czar” be paid by We the People? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/24 "2020-11-25T20:22:16Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > No one is “stealing children” . Please drop the hyperbole. The Trump administration took children from asylum applicants and didn’t bother to keep track of which parents they went to. It’s not hyperbole. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/25 "2020-11-25T20:23:02Z")
No child was stolen. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/26 "2020-11-25T20:24:27Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > I’ve got to say, I’m simply flabbergasted by this thread. I can’t quite wrap my mind around these proposals being made with any seriousness. > > Donald Trump and the White House Press Secretary have spent the last four years attacking various news outlets as “fake news”, and attempting to debunk their reporting. President Trump and his Press Office have been, rightly, castigated by both his political opponents and advocates for freedom of speech and for protection of journalists for these attacks on a free press. > > And you want to _institutionalize_ these attacks? With a permanent, paid, official U.S. government post whose sole responsibility is to attack and undermine journalists and citizens whose reporting and opinions the administration disapproves of? A literal Ministry of Truth? I just…I really just can’t understand this. > > Imagine such a position had been established by the Obama administration in response to birther conspiracy-mongering. Then imagine what the Trump administration would have done with such a position, with that precedent. > > As to expanding libel and slander laws, you realize that’s literally, exactly, specifically something Donald Trump himself proposed? For which he was roundly (and rightly) castigated by both his political opponents and proponents of freedom of speech and protection for journalists? > > As it stands now, by the way, libel and slander laws _do_ apply to conspiracy theorizing, when they involve private individuals. Leonard Pozner won just such a defamation case. However, public figures, and even more so public officials, have a much higher bar to clear to sue for libel and slander. Whether it’s a “conspiracy theory” is irrelevant. You shuold take a look at the Singapore model for both the strengths and weaknesses of what you are talking about. With specific reference to the TT Durai saga (he successfully intimidated 2 people into withdrawing corruption claims before taking on the “wrong” person and being brought down) And if you want to go further back - take a look at David Lange (if memory serves) and North and South Magazine (a politician won a case against the media) in New Zealand. We have freedom of speech here in NZ, and truth is always an absolute defence - but I am constantly left shaking my head at the sheer volume of bad faith “news” and falsehoods that are presented in the US If there wasn’t so much “bad”\* information floating around the US without consequences, would Donald really have come to power? “Bad” information is anathema to a well functioning democracy - again - problems with defining ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/27 "2020-11-25T20:25:10Z")
Because it’s in the government’s interest to help the people too weak, gullible, or stupid to understand that they’re being manipulated by RW media. They can simply point out factual evidence. Rush says that Coronavirus is a hoax, present evidence it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/28 "2020-11-25T20:27:56Z")
Not how it works. I don’t have to provide evidence, since I didn’t make the claim. And why should I care what Rush says? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/29 "2020-11-25T20:29:05Z")
Thought experiment: You go to the DMV. I take your daughter and deport you, and make no effort to reunite you with your daughter. Have I stolen your daughter? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/30 "2020-11-25T20:30:32Z")
Are you here illegally? Then that’s on you. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/31 "2020-11-25T20:32:08Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Are you here illegally? Then that’s on you… Let’s say you jaywalked on your way to the DMV. You are illegal. That’s on you. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/32 "2020-11-25T20:32:16Z")
Can you take a moment to make sure you’re communicating clearly? You’re mixing up the pronouns on the hypothetical, and your previous message doesn’t appear to understand what I wrote either. Also, seeking asylum is legal. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/33 "2020-11-25T20:32:59Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Correcting lies. …the thing is appointing a Czar for the sole purpose of “correcting lies” sounds hugely problematic to me. Do we call it the “Ministry of Truth?” The problem is much bigger than Fox News, OAN and Newsmax. It goes beyond that. The lies need to be called out be the administration obviously. But I’ve listened to both the Democrats and the Republicans try to hold the social media giants to account and it seems pretty clear that neither side really understands how any of this really works. There isn’t an easy solution. But you’ve got to understand the problem before you can start to deal with it. If people are locked into information silos then having alternative facts presented by a government spokesperson will only ever have limited marginal value. I don’t have a solution. And I think about this **a lot.** But as **gdave** argues the answer isn’t to _institutionalize_ the position. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/34 "2020-11-25T20:33:14Z")
I answered the question-Sorry if you didn’t like it. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > If the government is being lied about, I see no problem with the government responding. If not, the alternate complaint would of course be “If we are lying about the government, why isn’t the government responding, huh?” I can recognize a no-win situation when I see one. ---
**Author:** ![gdave](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gdave/32/3683_2.png) [@gdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gdave)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/35 "2020-11-25T20:45:56Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Because it’s in the government’s interest to help the people too weak, gullible, or stupid to understand that they’re being manipulated by RW media. > > They can simply point out factual evidence. Rush says that Coronavirus is a hoax, present evidence it’s not. Alternatively, a Trumpist could equally well say, "Because it’s in the government’s interest to help the people too weak, gullible, or stupid to understand that they’re being manipulated by LW media. They can simply point out factual evidence. CNN says Democratic vote stealing is a hoax, present evidence it’s not." Do you really not see the problem here? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/36 "2020-11-25T21:00:02Z")
The problem is there isn’t actually any evidence that any RW talking point is true. Global warming is a hoax! No evidence. Election stolen! No evidence. Tax Cuts are freeeeeeeee! No evidence. I’m just saying that if some bullshit Jade Helm conspiracy is out there, it would be good if there was a czar to point out, “No stupid, this is a normal thing, here are the last 35 times it was done, Sean Hannity is a fucking kook.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/37 "2020-11-25T21:00:22Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > A lot of the stuff they say already sounds like slander/libel, and I suspect the main reason the entire right-wing media isn’t in jail already is because they’re standing atop a mountain of money and lawyers. Well, that, and the fact that slander and libel are _civil_, rather than _criminal_, torts. Also, the “Ministry of Truth” hazard that was brought up, above. The America-hating Fuckstick himself is on record as proposing laws not far removed from the idea in the OP. It’s troubling to see a super-charged version of his crap coming from the ranks of the Good Guys. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/38 "2020-11-25T21:14:20Z")
you know theres a web site called “gossip cop” that exists solely to explain that 90 percent of what the check out rags and several websites are reporting as news is fictional crap …i think he’s asking for a WH approved version here’s the example > **[homepage](https://www.suggest.com/)** > > From celebrities' lives to your life, we have you covered. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/39 "2020-11-25T21:38:26Z")
I was thinking “Secretary of Reality”. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387/40 "2020-11-25T21:45:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If the government is being lied about, I see no problem with the government responding. If not, the alternate complaint would of course be “If we are lying about the government, why isn’t the government responding, huh?” I can recognize a no-win situation when I see one. See also: the conspiracy theory surrounding the parking entrance cam footage of American Airlines Flight 77. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-should-appoint-a-fake-news-czar/926387.md?page=3)