Is Fake News Getting a Bad Rap? Four Benefits of Fake News.

People rarely say anything positive about fake news. Indeed, barely a day goes by without some politician or commentator bloviating about the horrors of fake news. They say fake news is disrupting our society, or fake news is destroying relationships, or it’s hard to tell the difference between fake news and real news anymore. In the interest of fairness, here’s a short list of some of the wonderful benefits of fake news.

• Fake news helps people avoid reality. Reality can be very uncomfortable at times. In fact, many people have far more reality in their lives than they want. Fake news provides a means of escape.
• Fake news confirms biases. Nobody really needs, or wants, to see things from the perspectives of others. In a world of chaos and confusion, what people need is confirmation that they are right about everything.
• With fake news, if you don’t like hearing opinions you disagree with, you never have to be exposed to them. On the other hand, if you enjoy being angry and hateful, fake news can provide more ammunition than you’ll ever need. Either way, fake news is the solution, not the problem.
• Fake News is more fun than real news. Fake news can bring laughter and joy into people’s lives. Or it can bring a sense of self-righteousness and moral indignation. Who doesn’t enjoy laughing and/or feeling superior to others once in a while?

Fake News and the Parkland Massacre

Fake news was flowing fast and furious shortly after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. One of the first fake things to happen was the viral distribution of a photo identifying a young man as the shooter who actually was not the shooter. I don’t even understand how someone could be mean enough to put something like that into circulation, but that’s the virtual world we now inhabit.

Was Jesus crucified over fake news?

When Jesus began healing people, he urged those who were healed not to publicize what had happened. It appears that at the beginning of the Lord’s ministry years, He preferred to fly under the radar. He probably knew that when some people heard about what He was doing, they wouldn’t be happy about it.

Still, it’s not easy to keep authentic miracles under wraps. The word got around and Jesus began to draw crowds. When He healed a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath, Jesus crossed some sort of a line. “Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” Mark 3:6

Journalism After Dark? Late Nite Jokes and the Joking Jokers Who Tell Them.

Jimmy Kimmel

Many consumers now get most of their “news” from the late nite shows. With that in mind, there are a few important differences between newscasts and those shows that viewers should be aware of.

The hosts are not journalists.

Jimmy Kimmel worked in radio for several years at the beginning of his career. According to Wikipedia, he was on KROQ in Los Angeles for five years as Jimmy The Sports Guy. Carson Daly also had some radio experience early in his career. 

None of the other current late nite hosts appear to have any experience or degrees in journalism. Most of them (Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Samantha  Bee, etc.) worked their way up to their current spots doing standup comedy, improv, or some other form of entertainment.

The Genesis of Fake News

St. Mark's Anglican Church
St. John's, Newfoundland

According to Merriam-Webster, some of the earliest uses of the phrase “fake news” go back to newspaper articles in 1890 and 1891. However, fake news itself goes back much further. For those who believe in the story of creation as presented in the Old Testament Book of Genesis, it could be said that fake news goes back almost to the very beginning.

Trump and Colbert collusion? The Fakies/Fake News Awards were first created a year ago.

by Jack O'Lanterni, President of Fake News International

It’s shocking to think that President Donald Trump and late night host Stephen Colbert may have colluded to plagiarize the concept of The Fakies/Fake News Awards developed by Danny Murphy a year ago. And yet, the evidence is easy to find.

Nominees Announced for Second Annual Fakies - Fake News Awards

by Jack O'Lanterni, President of Fake News International

The Fakies - Fake News Awards

2017 was another tremendous year for fake news. Never before has so much fake news affected so many people in so many ways with such great consequences. Fake News International is pleased to announce the preliminary list of nominees for the Second Annual Fakies Awards.

The Fakies Awards are presented annually on April 1^st in Macedonia to honor the best of fake news throughout the previous year. This year’s extravaganza will be held at the fabulous Taj Majal Resort in the heart of Macedonia City. P.T. Barnum, III, will be the Master of Ceremonies.