Why do you assume they are my countrymen? I said I'm Canadian. Furthermore, I point to where fake news and alternative facts have led the US. Freedom of the press is a double-edged sword that is only wielded properly in the hands of the just and intelligent. I am sad that I have this conclusion these days.
Fake news and alternative facts have not led the US anywhere. Donald Trump had no endorsements from any nationally-available newspaper. Newspapers across the US were full of unflattering reports about both candidates, and ultimately Clinton's unfavourability in the swing states meant a lot of people stayed home.
Now the press is as vital as ever – Trump's favourability ratings are at historic lows, and there are countless stories about the disarray in the White House. That's good (from my perspective). None of that would be possible in China, as there's no press to hold leaders to account.
Venezuela had freedom of the press when the populist Chavez grasped power. Guess the first thing he did.
In the US, the populist Trump is trying to get the same effect with the "the press is all lies, trust only what I say" rhetoric.
The antidote to lies is education, and it's not in the interest of an authoritarian regime to educate its population to the point where they can question the state's propaganda. So the only way out to freedom seems to be to start with independent (even if illegal) press.
