New Yorkers have long depended on the factual reporting from our news sources and mass media outlets. In recent years that trust has eroded as these agencies have shifted their focus on political and financial gain instead of fact-based news. New York sits in the crosshairs of this as the New York Post, New York Times, and Fox News (all based out of New York City) have been in the spotlight of "fake news".

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The State of New York needs to step in and hold news and mass media outlets responsible for falsely reporting their version or opinion of the news and get back to reporting on what is known, on facts. The Fairness Doctrine that was abolished in 1987 needs to be reevaluated, revamped and reinstated to legally force news agencies to present both, or multiple sides of political or controversial issues in an equal and honest way.

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Mass media is the place people should go to hear facts. Social media is where people should go to discuss opinions and feelings about topics. Social Media outlets should not have the right to censor our views unless they are verifiably racist, sexist or inciting criminal activity.

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Additionally, actors and athletes are being roped into this and without any clue; they spout off what they hear and see in social and mass media as "fact" while these "facts" have not been proven. Whether we like it or not, or see these people as role models, they hold influence over huge groups of people who trust their points of view as "fact".

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These outlets that are meant for entertainment and information need to be held accountable for the role they play in spreading "fake" news. Just as alcohol is not an excuse for a crime, spreading misinformation has seeded so much hatred and division in our country and we need to remedy this. Fake social media accounts used for spamming misinformation needs to be policed and deleted and the people behind them held accountable and responsible for the seeds of fear and anger they are sowing.