Fake news: rebuilding the epistemic landscape

The blame for fake news obviously lies with the producers. It is plausible, nevertheless, that consumers have a responsibility to avoid fake news, to engage in fact-checking, or to seek multiple sources, including sources with different ideologies. This chapter argues that these strategies have limited utility and if the problem of fake news is to be effectively addressed, we need responses at the supply end, not the consumption end. Since suppliers, who are often ill motivated, cannot be expected to offer or consent to these responses, we need effective regulation or control of sources. The author sketches proposals compatible with maintaining the rights of everyone to free speech.