I do think news outlets should be held accountable for blatant disinformation.
Then they can be fined via a "lie tax" with a required rating on their front pages just like restaurants have a health rating. That tax then goes to fund critical thinking programs in our schools.
Interesting idea, but how about don't let news outlets be owned by the fat cats they're supposed to be critical of?
The Telecommunications Act of 1996's supposed purpose was "to promote competition and reduce regulation in order to secure lower prices and higher quality services"[0]. Now there's far less competition since media conglomerates have greatly consolidated, and deregulation has allowed mainstream media to regulate the viewpoints of popular conversation.
And what happens when the government fines the media company and then it comes out that the lie was actually a truth? Will the government refund the media organization and make a public apology? Will the person who wrongfully fined the media company go to jail for violating the first amendment?
How about you don't try to take away my inalienable, God-given right to read whatever I desire. I don't need some nanny-state commissar telling me to pay up extra taxes for daring to view unapproved opinions
Then they can be fined via a "lie tax" with a required rating on their front pages just like restaurants have a health rating. That tax then goes to fund critical thinking programs in our schools.