“So this is fake news from AP or Reuters? There really should be fines and punishment for publishing fake news (lies).”
But what about freedom of the press?
This is a country built on the premise that people have rights that precede any government, and which no government may violate.
However, I like to wonder if those include the right to knowingly and maliciously deceive people with the intent of harming them.
The question is relevant, because that is exactly what the media do: they knowingly and maliciously deceive us with the intent of harming us.
I think we could pass laws against that without violating the First Amendment.
A perfectly relevant question. Freedom of the press is about more than the 1st Amendment. The press has extra latitude to bring the "truth" to the people. When they abuse that right and even distort it; don't we the people have the right to demand they be accountable?
The only thing that will get their attention to force them into telling the truth and stopping the lies are things like fines and suspension of press privileges. Enough infractions and they should lose their press privileges in my humble opinion.
Just like doctors, lawyers, and police have to police themselves; so should the journalism profession to maintain a certain level of integrity. What good is a new publication that can't be trusted to be honest. CNN, for instance, comes to mind.