‘Fake news’ needs to be tackled head on, not ignored

The challenge of manufactured news is one that must be faced down for the sake of healthy democracy, writes David O’Mahony.

The news that Germany may fine Facebook €500,000 per fake news post has to be welcomed. It’s just a pity that it’s come down to such drastic action.

This has been a year when the media has had to take a hard look at itself. Not because it was failing to report on what mattered, but because it was overtaken by clickbait and nonsense. Not entirely, of course. But sadly the news that got the most traction at times during the year was fake.