Irish Examiner view: Truth is more than an ideal, it’s a weapon

After the news of President Trump's Covid-19 diagnosis, it is hard, but best, to resist indulging the idea of karma exacting a toll. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

For a democracy to survive it must be credible and jealously guard that credibility. It must, if it is to navigate a crisis, enjoy the trust of most of those in its orbit. Authoritarian regimes are different, or, rather, indifferent. 

They do not care about opinions or beliefs. Credibility and trust are irrelevant, fear and distortion are the constants.