NY Times Uncritically Says Fake News Debate Supports Chinese Style Censorship

from the did-we-not-warn-of-this? dept

It used to be a laughable claim: that the US should emulate the Great Firewall of China and support much greater internet censorship. Sure, you'd have people like the MPAA's Chris Dodd or U2 frontman Bono cheer on Chinese censorship as a good example of how to censor the internet (in their cases, to block infringing content), but most people still remained rightly horrified by the idea that the answer to "bad" content online is a massive censorship regime. But, apparently, that may be changing.

Last year, right after the election, we directly warned that everyone freaking out about "fake news" on Facebook would eventually lead to calls to censor the internet a la China. And, now the NY Times has taken a big step in that direction, by posting a ridiculous article talking about how China has been "vindicated" by its approach to censoring the internet:

For years, the United States and others saw this sort of heavy-handed censorship as a sign of political vulnerability and a barrier to China’s economic development. But as countries in the West discuss potential internet restrictions and wring their hands over fake news, hacking and foreign meddling, some in China see a powerful affirmation of the country’s vision for the internet.

“This kind of thing would not happen here,” Mr. Zhao said of the controversy over Russia’s influence in the American presidential election last year.

Of course, as Ben Thompson pointed out, the reason it won't happen in China is because there are no Presidential elections in China:

While the NY Times does attempt to present some "balance" in the form of "concerns" from human rights activists, it also celebrates some of the internet's censors in China, and says that the success of Chinese internet companies is proof that censorship doesn't appear to harm innovation. The article closes on a chilling example of a "volunteer" spying on fellow internet users, and handing them happily over to the police -- and suggesting that this is a good way to stop bad people online:

In a restaurant called Europa, Mr. Zhao — who declined to disclose details of where and how he works — described China’s system not as “Big Brother” so much as a younger brother, which he is, protecting children, like those of his sister, from harmful material.

“Even though the internet is virtual, it is still part of society,” he added. “So in any space I feel no one should create pornographic, illegal or violent posts.”

In his new capacity, he scours Weibo in search of the lurid and illicit. Some posts, he explained, are thinly veiled solicitations for pornography or prostitution, including one message he reported to the police the other day for using what he said was a euphemism for selling sex.

When he reports abuse, it is the police who follow up. He excitedly displayed his smartphone to show the latest of his more than 3,000 followers on Weibo: the division of the Beijing police that monitors the internet.

“Normally, if you don’t do bad things, you don’t get followed by the police,” he said. “I think this — for someone who has been online for so many years — is really special.”

Those paragraphs should be chilling for those who believe in free speech or who have even the slightest knowledge of the history of authoritarianism and how governments -- including China's -- stamp out alternative and reformist viewpoints with an iron fist. It should be antithetical to how we operate here, and to have the NY Times post a pretty glowing profile of the Great Firewall of China is downright frightening.

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Filed Under: china, fake news, free speech, great firewall


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  1. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2017 @ 7:56pm

    They should probably read some of the presidents tweets about themselves. Might make them realise they would quickly disappear behind the Great Firewall of Trump (if it ever got build). Hell, he'd probably make them pay for it...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2017 @ 8:09pm

    Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    Before taking off, note that this NYT story may itself be fabricated. For what purpose, I don't know, but that's their stock-in-trade. It's a known globalist organ, so I believe NOTHING that's in the NYT. The one time out of a thousand that NYT tells the truth doesn't matter. -- Of course, it's a chief source for Masnick to re-write!

    Anyhoo, you try here to confuse and merge fabrication and FALSEHOODS into petty informing. In China. A), it's NOT the same, and B), that's China, nearly so commie as the NYT, having fostered informers.

    This senseless stretch has NOTHING to do with fake news, such as what's now known for TOTAL fabrication of everything regarding Trump-Russia. -- Contrived by Clinton, with willing help from the NYT, which falsely claimed "17 intelligence agencies" agreed.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2017 @ 8:09pm

    Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    You may have missed, intentionally, these headlines that were on Drudge (Oct 25, 6PM Pacific), this headline centered and in all caps,
    "DC ROCKED: CLINTON PAID FOR KREMLIN DIRT ON TRUMP"

    "ELITES TURN ON CLINTONS? THE SACRIFICE..."

    "[The Clintons are] TOXIC..."

    "The Trump dossier was Clinton's dirtiest political trick"

    "Journos Downplay Trump Dossier Revelations"

    And several more. Techdirt repeated baseless assertions for months yet turns out that Clinton actually did what you accused Trump of.

    I'm not at all surprised except that some Truth is coming out. But when it does, I look for what They are distracting from that's even worse...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. icon
    Angel (profile), 27 Oct 2017 @ 8:13pm

    The Mob always wants to pass laws that they think won't affect them, until they do.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    steell (profile), 27 Oct 2017 @ 8:13pm

    Oh crap!! More of that idiotic drivel to ignore!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2017 @ 9:16pm

    Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    lol, drudge.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2017 @ 11:26pm

    Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    “But but but Clinton” is even more pathetic and laughable than “but but but google.”

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2017 @ 11:28pm

    Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    Hey blue it must really sting that Russian trolls get paid to do what you do for free. Keep choking on that Trump train!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 12:20am

    Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    Trump loves to talk. People who talk all the time say things that are wrong, often even when they know it is wrong just to try to make a point. In the best light saying things they don't know for sure are true but help their point.

    Saying he is a shill for Trump while completely ignoring the facts that are coming out against Clinton makes you one of those people who love to talk.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 1:13am

    Re: Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    Well that’s nice and all. But in case you haven’t noticed the adults are talking about censorship not Clinton. Him throwing that in the mix is a pathetic and obvious attempt to change the subject. But you knew that already, didn’t you?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:02am

    Just follow the white line...

    Trust us and keep going. The only thing you have to worry about is following the white line. If you see people in chains who looks to be suffering, just trust us that they deserve it because they didn't follow the white line but instead followed the blue or the green line. If it starts to get hot and flames start spewing out of the walls ahead of you, just trust us; it won't burn you as long as you have kept to the white line.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:09am

    Let's call it like it is. "Fake news" = propaganda.

    By calling it fake news we move away from the reality that these news are not only fake but they push a specific agenda to misinform and manipulate yet media outlets fail to confront it head on by calling it propaganda and dissmissing the fake news label. NYT posting such a glowing article is not only tone deaf, it ignores our constitution.

    They'd do well keep away from supporting any narrative that deals with censorship as their very existence depends on the 4th amendment. I hope the irony of a publication using its right to free speech to advocate censorship as a good thing is not lost on their editors.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:38am

    ...Who is the New York Times owned by, these days?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 6:51am

    One sided articles is all the news is good for now days. Cant trust any of them anymore.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Lisboeta, 28 Oct 2017 @ 7:16am

    The NYT is closely-held. The Ochs-Sulzberger family trust owns the vast majority of the Class B (voting) shares. Carlos Slim, Mexican businessman and supposedly the world's second-richest person, is the largest shareholder but owns only Class A (non-voting) shares. Slim also 'saved' the paper in 2009 with a $250,000 loan. The NYT is considered to be left-leaning politically. It has Chinese-language variants -- both digital and print -- which, apart from a slight glitch in 2012 when it unwisely published an article critical of then-Premier Wen Jiabao's family, have gained a growing foothold in China. The Chinese platforms constitute one of The New York Times' top five global digital markets. Which perhaps explains their understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the Chinese model of censorship?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. icon
    Ryunosuke (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 7:16am

    two words: First Amendment

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 7:24am

    "THAT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE NO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS"

    Then obviously the US needs to follow China's example and get rid of presidential elections. China has proven how well it works!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. icon
    Padpaw (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:01am

    Suppressing free speech has become rather popular among the radicals this past year I have noticed. A lot of colleges and universities as well oddly enough. Those once bastions of free speech instead now promote physically attacking and shutting down speech they disagree with.

    Maybe this is another symptom of that dangerous idea that it is ok to shut down speech you disagree with.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:23am

    Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    Love the smell of Russian bullshit in the morning.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:31am

    Re: Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    "People who talk all the time say things that are wrong, often even when they know it is wrong just to try to make a point. In the best light saying things they don't know for sure are true but help their point. "

    A lie is a lie.
    There are many types of lies, all of them are lies.

    Some people are compulsive liars while others are pathological liars. All of them are liars.

    Why do you make excuses for liars? Why do you pretend that the liars in chief is not a huge catastrophe in the making?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:31am

    just more

    Hey they are NOT buying our SHIT! Lets make sure our shit is the ONLY shit they can get!

    Media is just like the corporate estate, they have a product to sell to stay in business... finding ways to discredit their competitors or make their appear superior truth or not is just standard business practice.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:32am

    Re:

    and then it is some elses fault

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:35am

    Re: "THAT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE NO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS"

    and they execute C-Suite types who fuck up

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:42am

    Re:

    Perhaps that is a result of the privatization of our public education system. Corporate influence, and more recently attack, upon academia is not only detrimental to society but it also undermines the entire country. These captains of industry seem to be pointing guns at their own feet.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 8:44am

    Re: just more

    The Amazing Frog Boy Is On The Loose Again!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 9:28am

    They have an onion address now as well. Just can't stomach their swill.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 9:40am

    The roles are now reversed: the United States learns with China; next country to copy is Russia.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 9:57am

    Re: Re:

    It's an attempt to take the teeth from the (presumably) middle to upper class young people so that they cry out for censorship willingly.

    If they're too busy worrying about where the next "enemy" they can turn on is, then they have no interest in having sympathy for lower classes, worrying about those in other countries (some of them that create an ever-increasing amount of their goods and services), or attempting to change the unethical and/or broken business practices of their parents when they take over the family business.

    Status quo for the corporations will continue unabated and reforms to capitalism will be put off even more.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 10:33am

    Re:

    One sided? I see a lot of this "both sides" bullshit which is not any better, I think it is is worse.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. icon
    Hugo S Cunningham (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 10:42am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    If you could go back 2600 years or so, you could argue with Epimenides whether they were all Cretans.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    Stosh, 28 Oct 2017 @ 10:47am

    Censor "hate speech" and "fake news" sounds good on paper, but who gets to decide what qualifies? It would seem whichever side has been elected to office would be within their rights to censor whatever they please. Could change with each election...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 10:55am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    Why? Did people make excuses for them also?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 11:29am

    Be careful not to slip on the slope.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    jimb, 28 Oct 2017 @ 12:20pm

    Shut up and let the NY Times tell you what to think.

    The NY Times believes they are immune. The NY Times wants us to shut up and for us to listen to them as they tell us what to think.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 12:39pm

    MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    My name for an individual's Manic Anastrophopathic (Behavioral Pathic!) attack againt another soul's Digital Human Rights, is ORTHOCYBERETHOCIDAL MANIAC: THE MANIC ATTEMPT, OR INEED EFFECT OF THE DIGITAL MURDER OF A NETIZEN'S "ORTHOCYBERETHOSIS (I.E., OF A NETIZEN'S 'CORRECT CYBER ETHICAL STATE, CONDITION OR PROCESS'!)"!
    .
    "TRUMPATHY": THE INSTIGATION OF SYMAPTHY FOR AN ALLEGATION OF FAUX NEWS (FOR INCLUSION WITHIN THE DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS/ DSM/MD-FIVE.ONE... OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION/ APA)
    _______________
    .
    .
    TRUMPIAN PAEDOPHILIA: OR HIDDEN PAEDO_(EROTOPHONOPHILIA) APOCALPSE
    .
    .
    Now that the matter of Hillary Clinton's emails would appear to have been resolved (and-- so said!-- the "sexual habits" of Bill Clinton!), what we're now left with, are a series of Internet Media Reports which reveal amassed court evidence concerning the complicit involvement of Donald Trump (a.k.a., MR. PHEWTUS*) in C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!... and, as indicated in the material (ILLEGAL/ TORTIOUS!... or SERENDIPITOUS!) at (please remove the hyphens and (dots), for addbar pasting!)...
    .
    h-t-t-p://www(dot)huffingtonpost(dot)com/lisa-bloom/why-the-new-child-rape-ca_b_10619944.html
    .
    and... h-t-t-p://www(dot)deathandtaxesmag(dot)com/306274/trump-court-date-set-jane-doe-child-rape-lawsuit/ and... h-t-t-p-s://www(dot)theguardian(dot)com/us-news/2016/oct/12/donald-trump-jeffrey-epstein-alleged-rap e-lawsuit... and... h-t-t-p://www(dot)inquisitr(dot)com/3597538/donald-trumps-underage-rape-accusations-could-be-the-dea thbed-of-his-political-aspirations/... and... h-t-t-p://www(dot)independent(dot)co(dot)uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/donald-trump-rape-sexua l-assault-claims-court-republican-party-us-presidential-florida-a7360636.html... and... h-t-t-p://theproudliberal(dot)org/sworn-testimony-from-trump-rape-case-finally-released-looks-bad-fo r-trump/!
    .
    And the which, should compel an IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION by the FBI into these C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E allegations (and, regardless of the said withdrawal of the allegation of RAPE by the alleged victim, on November the 4th, 2016!... due to said fears for her life!... stated her counsel)!... and let alone, an FBI investigation into the "HACKING" of the DNC by Russians (and, by said, "C-O-M-P-L-I-C-I-T C-O-M-P-A-N-Y"!)! And, compelling-- as well!... and if need be!... the A-R-R-E-S-T of Donald Trump (a.k.a., MR. PHEWTUS!)!!
    .
    Either this alleged "victim" is held to account for propagating "FAKE NEWS (YEA, C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L M-I-S-C-H-I-E-F!... A-T L-E-A-S-T!)" by way of her testimony (and a testimony, incidentally, reportedly backed up by other witnesses!)!... O-R T-R-U-M-P S-H-O-U-L-D B-E H-E-L-D T-O A-C-C-O-U-N-T B-E-F-O-R-E A C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L C-O-U-R-T O-F L-A-W! There can be NO MORATORIUM regarding an allegation of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!!... and, which has been said re numerous other C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E-/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E allegations! And!... if an American State would contend that there is such a MORATORIUM, then there's a clear case for a Constitutional challenge re DUE PROCESS under the 5th Amendment, and a case of a denial of EQUAL PROTECTION under the 14th Amendment, re States that/ which do not have such a MORATORIUM! In other words, Trump can't hide behind a State's claim that a State-legislated MORATORIUM holds sway over DUE PROCESS and EQUAL PROTECTION!! But also!... no one making such a claim (and given the importance of same!), should be held blameless if such a claim is PROVEN to be false!... and so, N-E-C-E-S-S-I-T-A-T-I-N-G I-M-M-E-D-I-T-E F-B-I I-N-V-O-L-V-E-M-E-N-T (A-T T-H-E V-E-R-Y L-E-A-S-T!), and a court's determination-- one way, or another! AND DITTO, RE ANY ALLEGATION MADE ELSEWHERE, PERTAINING TO ANY OTHER NOTABLE AMERICAN POLITICAL FIGURE!
    .
    Furthermore, we may very well find-- given the P-R-O-V-E-N V-E-R-A-C-I-T-Y of the allegations of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!-- that the T-R-U-E R-E-A-S-O-N this "character" became involved in the 2016 race, was to H-I-D-E from these allegations within the "smoke screen" of a U.S. Federal Presidential Election (AND, THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF-- HOW SHALL I PUT IT?-- "LIKE-MINDED, OFF-SHORE INTERESTS"!... AND, QUITE POSSIBLY, "LIKE-MINDED, ELECTORAL COLLEGE INTERESTS"!... SEE, PROVERBS 28: 1!)!... and!... I-N T-H-E G-U-I-S-E O-F S-E-R-V-I-N-G H-I-S C-O-U-N-T-R-Y! And!... is it beyond imagining, that "certain interests" which deal in GLOBAL CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING (even if only for perverse personal pleasures!... for a price!), would want to continue with such "dealings", U-N-E-N-C-U-M-B-E-R-E-D? And... honestly!... I wouldn't put it past this "POTUS HUXSTER" and "HUSTLER" to have "played" the RNC, his "alleged rape victim", her family, and America, in order to escape the "handcuffs of our U.S. justice"!!... i.e., at least, given what we've come to learn about his P-R-O-V-E-N "MISOGYNIST HUBRIS (to put it mildly!)"! In other words, such "dysic behavior" by PHEWTUS, I-S N-O-T "out of the blue"!
    .
    Simply put!... if what is alleged of Donald Trump is T-R-U-E, THEN THIS "POTUS ELECT", S-H-O-U-L-D N-O-T H-O-L-D O-F-F-I-C-E!! I-N-D-E-E-D!... N-O P-R-E-S-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L W-A-N-N-A_B-E U-N-D-E-R S-U-C-H A C-L-O-U-D, S-H-O-U-L-D B-E E-N-T-I-T-L-E-D T-O B-E I-N T-H-E W-H-I-T-E H-O-U-S-E! AND TRUMP SHOULD HAVE BEEN-- AND SHOULD BE NOW!-- C-O-M-P-E-L-L-E-D T-O S-T-E-P D-O-W-N U-N-T-I-L A-L-L C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E A-L-L-E-G-A-T-I-O-N-S A-R-E R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D! Unless... and of course!... the reports that Huffington Post (AND MANY OTHERS!) have been publicizing, are all "FAKE NEWS", and created by "ghost writers"!... and!... are but further examples of "NETTROLLICIDE"! And, the which... in that event!... should be held L-I-B-E-L-O-U-S (and regardless of any initiative by Donald Trump!... and, regardless of whoever proffered such "FAKE NEWS"!)! Or!... S-U-C-H B-E A-C-T-E-D U-P-O-N! In other words, the FBI-- at least!-- should be addressing such "FAKE NEWS"!... OR ACTING UPON LEGIT NEWS ACCOUNTS, THAT HAVE REPORTED ACCURATE CLAIMS INVOLVING DONALD TRUMP IN ACTS OF C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!! AND DITTO-- AND ONCE AGAIN!-- RE ANY ALLEGATIONS MADE ELSEWHERE PERTAINING TO ANY OTHER NOTABLE AMERICAN POLITICAL FIGURE!
    .
    PLEASE NOTE: IN ANY FAILURE OF THE FBI TO HOLD DONALD TRUMP (A.K.A., MR. PHEWTUS!) TO ACCOUNT, ONE MUST BE H-I-G-H-L-Y D-I-S-T-R-U-S-T-F-U-L-- Y-E-A, S-U-S-P-I-C-I-O-U-S!-- OF A-N-Y "INTELLIGENCE AGENCY" THAT WOULD DIRECTLY, AND/ OR INDIRECTLY MARGINALIZE THE THREAT THAT SUCH POSES TO AMERICAN CITIZENS!... LET ALONE, TO HIS ALLEGED VICTIM! AND!... A FAILURE TO GO AFTER MR. PHEWTUS S-H-O-U-L-D COMPEL THE QUESTIONS: WHO WAS/ IS BEHIND SUCH REPORTS?... AND!... IS THERE A-N-Y V-E-R-A-C-I-T-Y TO THE REPORTS? AND RE THE LATTER QUESTION!... A-N-Y I-N-D-I-C-A-T-I-O-N TOWARD THE A-F-F-I-R-M-A-T-I-V-E, WOULD SUBJECT THE VERY F-B-I (BUT, ETC.!) TO CROSS-EXAMINATION RE C-O-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y I-N F-E-L-O-N-I-O-U-S C-R-I-M-E-S!... E.G., IN THEIR "GREEN-LIGHTING" OF MR. PHEWTUS' 2016 U.S. FEDERAL ELECTION RUN AND "WIN (I.E.,... AND IN THAT EVENT!... IF THERE IS-- INDEED!-- ANY 'U-N-T-R-A-M-M-E-L-E-D A-N-D U-N-T-A-I-N-T-E-D' FEDERAL 'INTELLIGENCE AGENCY'/ POLICING AUTHORITY LEFT STANDING IN AMERICA THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO ADDRESS SUCH FELONIOUS CONDUCT, BY WAY OF A FEDERAL INVESTIGATIVE BODY!... SUCH AS THE FBI!)"!
    .
    Freedom of the Press is one thing... but Freedom to create HAVOC through "FAKE NEWS", is quite another! And it's this HAVOC!... this attempted NETTROLLICIDE (if proven to be so!)!... that the FBI-- apparently!-- is NOW honing in on (i.e., re their recent preoccupation with "FAKE NEWS"!... among other concerns!)!!... and, is attempting to end!! Although!... and despite the veracity of the said evidence pertaining to Trump reported by the Huffington Post (among others!), the NECESSARY INVESTIGATION concerning the allegations involving Trump/ PHEWTUS have yet to be given as much consideration as the reports of "FAKE NEWS (ummm!)"!
    .
    (And!... please note!... it is not-- in my view!-- the C-O-N-S-T-I-T-U-T-I-O-N-A-L-L-Y S-A-N-C-T-I-O-N-E-D R-O-L-E of the FCC, to act as "INFORMATION ARBITER", and/ or, "INFORMATION POLICE", re "FAKE NEWS"! THE "FEDERAL C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N-S COMMISSION" SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED WITH THE "I-N-F-O-R-M-A-T-I-O-N C-O-M-P-O-N-E-N-T" OF "INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY"!... SAVE, TO FACILITATE THE EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY TECHN(IC) C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N OF INFORMATION! THE U.S.A. DOESN'T HAVE A "FEDERAL INFORMATION COMMISSION" OR A "FEDERAL INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION"!... OR A "1984 COMMISSION"! AND, IF THERE IS TO BE AN FIC AND/ OR AN FICTC, THEN BUSINESSES, NGO+NPOs AND BUREAUCRACIES MUST A-L-L BE AT THE PROVERBIAL TABLE!
    .
    The dilemma for American Investigative Agencies, however, is weighing/ gaging the implications of arresting MR. POTUS (a.k.a., MR. PHEWTUS!) in full Public view! Their difficulty, is knowing precisely when, and how to effect a PUBLIC ARREST!... and then, afterupon doing so, determining how to safeguard innocent citizens from Trump’s W-A-R-P-E-D F-O-L-L-O-W-E-R-S! And the FBI DARE NOT pursue the possibility of whether there was a PAYOUT to the victim by Trump-- at least, not yet!-- for fear of inadvertently IGNITING CIVIL UNREST BY HOARDS OF TRUMPIAN SOCIOPSYCHOPATHS (and I give you, the Charlottesville White Supremacists!... ETC.!)!
    .
    Nevertheless!... and if the FBI can create a window of opportunity to effect an efficient and effective arrest!... if the FBI would consider the reports covered by the Huffington Post (among others!) as "FAKE NEWS", THEN THE FBI SHOULD DO ITS JOB, AND SHUT DOWN THIS BREACH OF THE U.S. FEDERAL STALKING STATUTE (AND THEREBY, THE BREACH OF THE CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED SECURITY OF THE PERSON OF DONALD TRUMP/ MR. PHEWTUS!... WINK, WINK!)!... AND, HOLD TO ACCOUNT THE "INSTIGATING/ INITIATING AUTHORS" OF THIS "FAKE NEWS (VICTIM, OR OTHERWISE!... WINK, WINK!)"!
    .
    But!... if the Media reports (OF WHATEVER LEGITIMATE STRIPE!) alleging Donald Trump's involvement in C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E can't be challenged (i.e., BECAUSE THESE REPORTS ARE "R-E-A-L N-E-W-S"!... WINK, WINK!)!... and the "victim" is legally compelled to follow-through with her "civic duty" to finalize her EARNEST INVOCATION (by mandating Federal police protection for her!... AND, BECAUSE THE FBI, AND SHE SHOULD BE HELD CRIMINALLY AND TORTIOUSLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAILING TO COMPLETE A PROCESS THAT SHE E-A-R-N-E-S-T-L-Y B-E-G-A-N!... WINK, WINK!), then the FBI is D-U-T-Y B-O-U-N-D to effect the needed criminal investigation, and any concomitant subsequent C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L A-R-R-E-S-T!
    .
    .
    Attention Christgopher: A. Wray of Sunshine
    .
    .
    In addition to Trump FAILING to sue CNN months ago, for CNN's refusal to air Trump's "PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT (the which, Trump would SURELY LOSE, as he could be easily shown to be promoting a violation of the CONSTITUTIONALLY SANCTIONED Security of the Person of Americans!)", he has also F-A-I-L-E-D to legally challenge an alleged "victim" at, h-t-t-p://www(dot)huffingtonpost(dot)com/lisa-bloom/why-the-new-child-rape-ca_b_10619944(dot)html, who has alleged that PHEWTUS is GUILTY of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!... and to sue the "FAUX NEWSERS" which have "falsly reported" the said C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E TALE! Thus, how can one-- of G-O-O-D C-O-N-S-C-I-E-N-C-E!-- trust a wanna-be Prez who screams "FAUX NEWS", "FAUX NEWS", "FAUX NEWS"!... and, who'd sue his neighbor's housecat if given the chance!... but, would "clam up" tighter than a Contestant's crotch on a segment of his The Apprentice, when challenged on his F-A-I-L-U-R-E to go after the I-L-L-E-G-A-L-I-T-Y O-F A C-L-A-I-M O-F C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!! The reason, is ABUNDANTLY CLEAR!... T-H-E C-L-A-I-M I-S L-E-G-I-T!... A-N-D T-H-E R-E-M-O-V-E-D J-A-M-E-S C-O-M-E-Y, T-R-U-M-P-- A-N-D I S-U-G-G-E-S-T, T-R-U-M-P-'-S "W-I-F-E"!-- K-N-O-W I-T!
    .
    Christgopher, If the allegation of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E re PHEWTUS is C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L and T-O-R-T-I-O-U-S!... and, proffered by a "FAUX VICTIM"** and "FAUX MEDIA"!... then will you-- as the new FBI Director (who's been Nominated by a Prez who was in a C-L-E-A-R CONFLICT OF INTEREST when making the Appointment/ Nomination!)!-- be going after this "FAUX VICTIM", for proffering C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L A-N-D T-O-R-T-I-O-U-S C-L-A-I-M-S O-F C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E? And, will you be going after the FAUX MEDIA for proffering C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L A-N-D T-O-R-T-I-O-U-S "N-E-W-S" O-F C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E? Christgopher A. Wray, will you uphold your D-U-T-Y to protect America's children, and their families? Otherwise!... it's hard to rationalize why the FBI would leave the alleged Trump victim "HIGH AND DRY (e.g., she withdrew her filing on Nov 4, 2016, due to said fears for her life!... stated her counsel!)"!... and CONVERSELY, would fail to go after this FAUX VICTIM for C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L-L-Y A-N-D T-O-R-T-I-O-U-S-L-Y giving false testimony re an allegation of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E on the one hand, and, would fail to go after FAUX NEWESERS for reporting C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E on the other! And, how does that absence of FBI D-U-T-Y even make sense? And, why would one believe-- should one believe!-- that the FBI is S-O-O-O-O I-N-C-O-M-P-E-T-E-N-T that it would either fail to protect a victim of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E (F-O-R W-H-I-C-H, T-H-E-R-E C-A-N B-E N-O M-O-R-A-T-O-R-I-U-M!)!... or fail to go after A FAKE VICTIM who has alleged such a claim, and fail to go after FAUX NEWSERS which have reported same! A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E-L-Y I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E! And in Huffington Post's report of Trump's C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E charges, there was SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE for a judge to ratify the sending of the matter to a court for adjudication by Dec 28, 2016! And, so!... if the victim was P-A-I-D O-F-F (I.E., I-F H-U-S-H M-O-N-E-Y W-A-S O-F-F-E-R-E-D U-P A-N-D R-E-C-E-I-V-E-D!), T-H-E-N T-H-E V-I-C-T-I-M A-N-D D-O-N-A-L-D T-R-U-M-P S-H-O-U-L-D B-E C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L-L-Y C-H-A-R-G-E-D! The victim, for R-E-C-E-I-V-I-N-G A B-R-I-B-E!... and PHEWTUS, for O-F-F-E-R-I-N-G A B-R-I-B-E, and for C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!
    .
    Lastly... Christgopher, will you be going after PHEWTUS for releasing Classified Information to the Russians, when they paid a visit to the White House earlier this year? And Christgopher, will you be seeking to ensure that the 750 people who were let go by Putin (and who could have provided HARD EVIDENCE re Trump-Putin COLLUSION during the 2016 U.S. Federal Election!)... and, by way of your Global Security contacts!... ensure the health and safety of those who are now VULNERABLE PUTIN TARGETS? Thanks!
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!
    .
    P.S.: Given the VERACITY of the allegation of C-H-I-L-D R-A-P-E/ C-H-I-L-D A-B-U-S-E!... and Comey's ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of this!... should Comey's KNOWLEDGE soon pose an "indirect threat" to "certain" White House interests (e.g., if Comey decides to accept the offer from Julian Assange to act as a WikiLeaks Spy, re U.S. Government wrongdoing!), I'd be VERY CONCERNED about the safety and security of James Comey! Although!... maybe!... Julian Assange may feel that Comey would be "better protected" if he "befriends" the WikiLeaks League! And so, Christgopher Wray!... will you ensure the safety of James Comey should Comey decide to "spill the beans" on PHEWTUS?
    .
    *"The fish stinks from the head down!"... a quote from the outgoing White House Communications Director, ScaryMooch!
    .
    **The Federal Stalking Statute (see, Federal Stalking Statute, 18 U.S.C. §2261A) makes it a F-E-L-O-N-Y for someone to use any interactive computer service, or electronic communication service or system (by the FBI, CIA, NSA, the Media, or FAUX VICTIM!) with the intent to kill, injure, HARASS, INTIMIDATE, or place under surveillance (through an official and/ or an unofficial proxy!) another person... and engage in a course of conduct that places a person in reasonable fear of death, or serious bodily injury, OR CAUSES, ATTEMPTS TO CAUSE, OR WOULD REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL EMOTIONAL DISTRESS (but, let us include, THE POTENTIAL COMPROMISE OF A U.S. FEDERAL ELECTION PROCESS!)! And so... if the "FAUX VICTIM" and/ or "FAUX MEDIA" have F-E-L-O-N-I-O-U-S-L-Y used said interactive computer services, or electronic communication services or systems with the intent to kill, injure, HARASS, INTIMIDATE, or place under surveillance (through an official and/ or un unofficial proxy!) DONALD TRUMP (a.k.a., PHEWTUS!)... and engage in a course of conduct that places DONALD TRUMP (a.k.a., PHEWTUS!) in reasonable fear of death, or serious bodily injury, OR CAUSES, ATTEMPTS TO CAUSE, OR WOULD REASONABLE BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, then its incumbant upon the FBI (AND ANY OTHER DUTY BOUND INVESTIGATIVE BODY!) to end such a breach of the Federal Stalking Law!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 1:06pm

    Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    TL:DR

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    JEDIDIAH, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:15pm

    Re: Let's call it like it is. "Fake news" = propaganda.

    Don't kid yourself. It's all partisan propaganda.

    None of these professional trolls are any more trustworthy than another. At best, they carefully select the facts that suit their narrative. At worst they bury stories that contradict their narrative or just fabricate things.

    "Fake News" is like the modern definition of a troll: something or someone you disagree with.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:18pm

    Let me know when people are held accountable

    For Iraq for lying to congress for violations of their oaths.
    War crimes for participating in Iraq and other aggressive wars, let me know when someone take some sort of responsibility for their action...

    ...I'll just be waiting here till I die of old age probably

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. identicon
    JEDIDIAH, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:19pm

    Far to much faith...

    Would you like examples? Immigration issues are great for this. Sometimes, an outlet like the Times will screw up and include links to contradictory information in their own article.

    I have also caught outlets contradicting themselves when their narrative shifted and they wanted to "fact check" someone from the wrong party.

    Specialty news sources (law,military) are great for contradicting the general news outlets.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:25pm

    Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Too lucid; don't read? Gee wiz!... that's sad! I guess you've also been unable to crack a bible!... and because, it's "TOO LUCID AND TOO 'TEXTY'"! Maybe!... you should enroll in an ESL class! BTW!... why are you attempting to make a "comment" on others' comments at Techdirt, if such comments are "TOO LUCID AND TOO 'TEXTY'"?
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  41. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:35pm

    Re: Far to much faith...

    Examples of what? ... One sided news that is worse that both sided news? Excuse me if I do not follow your logic.

    Wow, corporations sometimes contradict themselves - film at eleven.

    Breaking News ... news orgs update their stories as additional info becomes available.

    Specialty News outfits are great at protecting their specialty, shocking I know, but it true!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  42. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:40pm

    Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Why do you want me to read your Wall-O-Text?

    Seriously dude - what's your problem?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  43. icon
    Toom1275 (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:40pm

    Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    "Too lucid; don't read"

    Correct. A lucid person would not read (or write) that comment.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  44. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:41pm

    Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    While you may think your formating is clever, all it really does it make people skip your ramblings to save their eyes.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  45. icon
    orbitalinsertion (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 2:57pm

    Re: Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    The facts are coming out against _everybody_. Screw them all. Who cares. Blahblahblah yakyakyak same stupid shit every day.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  46. icon
    Stephen T. Stone (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:19pm

    Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    …what

    link to this | view in thread ]

  47. icon
    orbitalinsertion (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:25pm

    Re:

    If you mean "free speech" wrt paid speakers, you'd get a lot less protest if they just want to come and speak minus the fanfare and cash. Protest, however, is also speech.

    Not that people or crowds or institutions don't do things wrong. Usually there is someone doing something wrong from every angle, just as there are those from every angle who deal fairly.

    Universities need to stop with the free speech zoning, as well as paying for invited speakers who are mostly about fomenting political-only nonsense, whether the uni or some officially recognized campus org invites them. (I wonder what is the percentage of "controversial" speakers who are not going to say anything new to anyone, including themselves, but are invited simply for point-scoring.) Just show up and speak if it is so damn important. And live with counter-speech. If you can't do that, there are thousands of preacher-type nuts who can teach you about ignoring crowds (not just their questions) and shouting over them. Same for the speech-suppressing types. (Although i see lots of claims to suppression which are nothing of the sort.)

    Free speech doesn't mean that anyone owes you a living off of it, nor does it mean you can throw rocks.

    (@ Padpaw - Given what i understand from my reading of your posts over time, i assume i largely agree with you, it's just that different people could say what you just said and mean wildly different things depending on how they define their terms and how equally they apply them to different parties.)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  48. icon
    orbitalinsertion (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:34pm

    Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Yeah, no. Actually this makes me question the longish post i just wrote, for length and lucidity.

    Seriously, i, or someone else, might even agree with some point you may be making, if that is what you are doing, but we wouldn't know it.

    Who the hell do you think might email you, and where would they get your address? And do you imagine the pleading (with the way-diluted by this point exclamation marks) would stop them if they have your address and want to mail you?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  49. icon
    orbitalinsertion (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:43pm

    Re: Let me know when people are held accountable

    No one has been held accountable for a lot of major things for 230-410 years here, so yeah.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  50. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:54pm

    Re:

    Thank you, was looking exactly for this info.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  51. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 3:56pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    "Dude" went out with bell-bottomed pants! And, seriouly!... I don't have a "problem"!... the "problem", appears to be one of your own making! And you can read, or not read, whatever the heck you want to read!
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  52. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 4:04pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    CORRECTION!... a LUCID PERSON would respond with:... "... (or text)..."... not, "... (or write)..."! And because, there was no "writing" involved!... OH "SEAR" OF THE NET!
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  53. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 4:33pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Ha, ha, ha! My signoff... MR. ORBIT!... is one effected for the amusement of LUCID Comment Loggers/ Cloggers, and my own! It's not a request to be received LITERALLY! But then, you'd have to be LUCID to appreciate the offering! And I couldn't give a flying gnat's "gaseous expulsion" about OBTUSE and ABSTRUSE banter about my "style of grammatic presentation"! Bye bye!... and take care!
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  54. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 4:36pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Can I send you an email that identifies when bell bottoms were popular vs when the word Dude was prevalent?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  55. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 4:46pm

    Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    I couldn't care less what some JERK thinks about my formatting or "grammatic style"!... and if some PRETENTIOUS, POMPOUS, AND PATERNALISTIC BUFFOON is more concerned with straining one's eyeballs than the CONTENT of what's being presented, THEN SUCH CAN STICK ONE'S LAPTOP WHERE PIXELS DON'T SHINE!
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  56. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 4:57pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Why don't you grab a pair of your bell-bottomed pants, put them over your head, and then get some sleep! But make sure that the crotch of your new pant-hat isn't stained!... as you might not wake up!
    .
    Please!... no emails!... Jesus is Lord!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  57. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 28 Oct 2017 @ 5:35pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    You picked the wrong day to stop sniffing aeroplane glue bro.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  58. icon
    Anonymous Anonymous Coward (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 5:53pm

    The Problem

    Comes down to what 'news' can verify, and then... what 'news' one can believe. There are two variations on this issue, believing which may or may not comprise confirmation bias or believing where one questions the source and investigates which negates confirmation bias but does not preclude source contamination.

    So, what is to be believed? Qualify sources, self check for confirmation bias, quantify through multiple sources, recheck qualifications, check again for confirmation bias, then...with trepidation align with some version of the story while leaving oneself open to potential issues as they come to the forefront.

    Messsy. However, what else are we left with?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  59. icon
    Toom1275 (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 6:06pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    "My signoff...[]... is one effected for the amusement of LUCID Comment Loggers/ Cloggers, and my own!"

    The lucid commenters here are laighing at you, not with you.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  60. icon
    Stephen T. Stone (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 6:22pm

    Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    People would be more apt to read your posts and consider whatever salient points you make within them—if there are any—if they were formatted less like the rambling screed of an off-his-meds 4channer and more like someone who knows that randomly capitalizing words and using exclamation points for no reason does not somehow make your point for you.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  61. icon
    DNY (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 6:26pm

    Fake news like...

    ...pieces by Jayson Blair, perhaps?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  62. icon
    Stephen T. Stone (profile), 28 Oct 2017 @ 6:26pm

    Re:

    The United States does not have a law against “hate speech” because no one can come up with a workable definition that applies to a exceptionally narrow amount of speech—and to a similarly narrow amount of specific contexts.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  63. identicon
    JOHN MAYOR, 28 Oct 2017 @ 6:57pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    I'm not your "bro"!... and it's hypocritical for this blog to DARE COMMENT on the NY Times' "objectionable denial of free expression", while invoking a "comment flagging methodology" that/ which would STAND IN THE WAY OF FREE EXPRESSION! In my view, the "flaggers" here, ARE NOTHING LESS THAN S-O-C-I-O-P-S-Y-C-H-O-P-A-T-H-S! C-U-R-S-E, such HYPOCRISY! M-O-R-O-N-S!!
    .
    Please!... no emails!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  64. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 29 Oct 2017 @ 5:30am

    Re:

    Let me guess, you're a furry raider.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  65. icon
    madasahatter (profile), 29 Oct 2017 @ 8:09am

    Re: Let's call it like it is. "Fake news" = propaganda.

    Yes it is propaganda and both sides are doing it. But I think there is another reason for the calls for censorship; the legacy media has mostly lost their gatekeeper status about what stories will be followed. Now there are many general and specialized sources of reasonable quality for news and information that most are not dependent on the legacy media.

    One can now keep up with various issues and stories without ever needing to reading Izvestia on the Hudson or Pravda on the Potomac (or any other scandal sheet) or watch any of the network or cable news (including Fox) to know what is going on. Given the sloppiness of most legacy media 'reporting' one can be forgiven if you do not trust their basic veracity or competence.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  66. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 29 Oct 2017 @ 8:59am

    Re: Re: Let's call it like it is. "Fake news" = propaganda.

    "the legacy media has mostly lost their gatekeeper status about what stories will be followed. Now there are many general and specialized sources of reasonable quality for news and information that most are not dependent on the legacy media."



    Yes, this is the reason for the attempted censorship, because we can not have any source of reasonable quality that does not spew the partisan dogma.

    The truth? .. We can't handle you knowing the truth.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  67. icon
    SteveMB (profile), 29 Oct 2017 @ 9:46am

    Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    Dilute! Dilute! OK!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  68. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Oct 2017 @ 6:04am

    This is what happens when you think "Nineteen Eighty-Four" is a how-to manual as opposed to a dire warning.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  69. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Oct 2017 @ 9:23am

    Re: Re: Far to much faith...

    "Protecting their speciality?"

    That's some grade A tin foil hat nonsense there.

    One sided news is a lie. If you are deluded enough to think that your side is virtuous, then you're just feeding yourself bullshit and probably been a pompous ass to others about it.

    Glossing over journalists that can agree with themselves is a little mind boggling. Fact checking themselves is supposed to be part of the process. If you can't trust a news outlet to get it's own story straight then it's really quite worthless.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  70. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Oct 2017 @ 10:54am

    Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    ...What?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  71. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Oct 2017 @ 4:16pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    ...said the sociopath.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  72. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 30 Oct 2017 @ 4:21pm

    Re: Re: Re: MR. PHEWTUS AND FAUX NEWS

    If a listener doesn't hear your message it is your responsibility, if you wish the message to be heard, to clarify and/or redeliver the message in a more digestible context. It is not the listener's responsibility to hear you.

    All I've gleaned from the minimum of your drivel I cared to read is that you're not worth listening to. That's what you've managed to communicate. If that was your intent then well done!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  73. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Nov 2017 @ 6:02am

    Re: Re: Re: Fake news is not the Truth. -- You echoed the Trump-Russia lies for months.

    "lol, drudge"

    Someone who still hasn't figured out that the site is an aggregator.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  74. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Nov 2017 @ 2:10pm

    Well, well. As now rarely done, Pirate "Mike"

    slipped his little piece in at:
    https://pirates-forum.org/Thread-NY-Times-Uncritically-Says-Fake-News-Debate-Supports-Chinese-Sty le-Censorship


    Currently a high ratio of 3 replies from 100 views. TWO state EXACTLY opinion I do above:

    joew771 Reputation: 28
    "The NY Times used to be an actual legitimate news source, but in the past 10 years or so, they have become a political organization, and have no right whatsoever to be considered a legitimate news source any longer, so take that under consideration.

    And highlighting one chinese person that tattles on other people means nothing. Many people all over the world do the same thing. Right or wrong."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  75. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Nov 2017 @ 2:11pm

    Re: Well, well. As now rarely done, Pirate "Mike"

    To which, Moe, wittily titled "adpenistrator" replied:
    (Yesterday, 03:56 am) joew771 Wrote: they have become a political organization

    More like the trend of corporations, or more specifically the individuals who run them, buying up news publishers in order push their political views.

    Since the same individuals also buy up government puppets, there is no one to tell them no.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  76. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 1 Nov 2017 @ 2:12pm

    Re: Re: Well, well. As now rarely done, Pirate "Mike"

    I'm not sure what the third comment means.

    But seems clear that REAL pirates are anti-corporation. So I wonder more than ever why read someone who "supports copyright" AND corporations.

    And the low # of views suggests how few readers Techdirt actually has.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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