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A review by bethmitcham
Fake News: Separating Truth from Fiction by Michael Miller
4.0
I was impressed that Miller made sure to use both definition of fake news -- news that is false and is spread either by gullible people or by liars, and news that is unpleasant and therefore denied by the people who don't want to hear it. Sadly, Trump and his supporters are a lot of the examples of both, which gives the book a slightly partisan feel, but what can you do when that's what the facts are? Miller makes a game effort to show both sides, but in reality most of the people clicking away on ridiculous news stories were Republicans, and so that's where the fabulists went, creating a sweet circle of lies, clicks, and more lies.
It was short and clear, with sections on definitions, believers, and harms, as well as an ending of how to avoid it. Few people will follow all the advice, but then once a source becomes trusted that's not necessary.
I would have liked to see a deeper understanding of First Amendment principles in the chapter on how to avert false Fake News. I cringed when I saw the old "fire in a theater" exemption), as well as a discussion on how libel laws differ internationally in the libel section.
It was short and clear, with sections on definitions, believers, and harms, as well as an ending of how to avoid it. Few people will follow all the advice, but then once a source becomes trusted that's not necessary.
I would have liked to see a deeper understanding of First Amendment principles in the chapter on how to avert false Fake News. I cringed when I saw the old "fire in a theater" exemption), as well as a discussion on how libel laws differ internationally in the libel section.