The way that ‘fake news’ became an overnight crisis is telling; just as progressive ideas were being rejected by voters across the western world, the media suddenly discovered a glitch which explained why. Fake news is the new false consciousness.
All democracies face the problem of uninformed voters. But in a reasonably educated society, this should not be critical, especially as the ignorant are far less likely to vote anyway. This has traditionally been a conservative and indeed ultra-conservative worry, but since the Anglo-Saxon Spring (or should that be Fall?), liberals have started to show more concern about it. The left-right axis is morphing into a globalist-nationalist one, and the majority of less educated voters fall into the latter camp.
Such is the worry that a think-tank has even recommended that schools teach pupils about fake news. Considering the politics of most teachers, I’m sure this won’t at all be done in a biased or politicised way. There is also a bill
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate, free for a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.
UNLOCK ACCESS Try a month freeAlready a subscriber? Log in