Fake news is all about the money.
Capitalism is “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.” The pursuit of profit in a free market is a science unto itself, as capitalists aggressively hawk their goods and services to a population of consumers willing to purchase what they have to sell.
Among the long list of goods and services attracting consumer dollars is information. Consumers require information to make informed decisions regarding their health and finances; consumers also desire information about topics or persons that interest them. Wants and needs are the two driving forces that comprise the impetus of human civilization. And people want, and need, information.
One category of information peddlers is news organizations. It takes money (LOTS of money) to pay salaries, run offices, distribute print products, operate TV networks and to maintain websites and blogs.
News organizations cannot survive without making a profit, and they constantly compete among one another for ever bigger slices of the consumer pie, known in the industry as “market share.” The bottom feeders have always been willing to lie, cheat and steal for a piece of that pie. These days the lying, cheating, and stealing has become much too commonplace, as competition for market share has become keen.
“Fake news” is all about the money.
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