I’ve never looked at it that way, but in thinking about it I have know people who were insecure for one reason or another and would laugh or act out to divert the subject or remove the focus. The press is obviously functioning under the guise if a lie is told often enough people will start to believe it. We have to admit there are people who strive to be on the Winning Team so they follow the wrong leader (the press)....
They surround themselves with like-minded people, and are immune to reality. They likely believe their own lies. The community of liars is big enough that they have zero risk of being ostracized.