Years ago, when Walter Cronkite presented the CBS news, you had a high degree of confidence that what you were watching was accurate. The reason for this was a little-known FCC policy called the Fairness Doctrine, which stated that since the airwaves belong to the public, a certain percentage of their broadcasting time should be dedicated for public good, and also to “present controversial issues of public importance” in an “honest, equitable and balanced” manner. Hence, children’s programming, public service announcements and the nightly news.

However, with the advent of cable television, President Reagan’s FCC canceled the policy. Soon after that change, along came entertainment shows that were designed to sound and look like news but weren’t, tabloid TV, political talk radio, cable news’ prime-time shows, etc. The people’s confidence in the news was shattered. Now we have alternative facts, well-crafted half-truths, unsubstantiated accusations of fake news and addictive conspiracy theories. Everyone is having a hard time telling truth from fiction.

I find this to be the most important issue facing us today. According to the historian Arnold Toynbee, who compared the rise and fall of several ancient civilizations in his 10-volume “A Study of History,” societies start to fall when the people lose their ability to tell truth from fiction.

None of our freedoms, including free speech, are absolute. This is epitomized in the saying, “Your freedom to swing your arm ends where my nose begins.” The right to lie ends when it causes clear and present danger to others.

Michael Garing

North Huntingdon

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