I wonder what percentage of people could name perhaps two or three of the foundational elements of journalism? It’s probably safe to assume that the people who lob the pejorative “fake” at media professionals probably don’t know even one element. Interestingly, I learned that younger Americans are better than the oldsters at telling what’s true, and what’s not.

One of my journalistic heroes was Norm Fournier. He was the editor and jack-of-all-trades behind the small town newspaper in the place where I grew up. Fournier, I’m sure, could name all 10 elements of journalism and practiced them with regularity across the more than three decades he was the font of news in the place where he decided to plant his flag, where he’d made his own commitment to truth. This type of commitment is actually the first element of journalism, as determined by the American Press Institute.

A paper that practices the 10 essentials of journalism.

I was reading one of our local newspapers still covering the local beat this weekend. I thought of Fournier and some of the conversations he allowed me to have with him at the end of his life. Again I was reminded that newspapers still serve an important purpose. Not only are they committed to truth, but their loyalty is first and foremost to all the citizens. What does this mean? Well, at the core of this second element of journalism it means that journalists “must strive to put the public interest—and the truth—above their own self-interest or assumptions.”

When our president says that the press is “the enemy of the people,” part of his mischaracterization of the press and media is driven by his misunderstanding of this second element. The press’s role isn’t to make him look good: it’s to report the truth and maintain its first loyalty—to all citizens, not just those in power, like him.

Unlike newspapers who practice the elements of journalism. social media enables the ignorant, providing them with a place and platform to spew misinformation. Those who know little or nothing about the press and how it operates are often the first to cry “fake” about news coverage that doesn’t align with their ideological slant, especially if it tilts to the right. Online platforms also lower the bar of entry so that the basest elements can push the truth aside.

In a neighboring community,, social media is where members of the town have taken to in a successful attempt to spread falsehoods about a public servant. I’m not going to go into significant detail other than to say that someone who commits (and volunteers) to leaving their house weekly (or more often) to help local government function deserves respect. All-too-often, those who can’t be bothered to get off their assess to even vote once a year, use social media as a forum to stir up controversy. It’s also one reason why fewer and fewer people care to subject themselves to attacks from the digital equivalent of the “peanut gallery.”

The public servant, a woman named Kim Totten, served on the MSAD 75 School Board for 34 years. She was the current chairperson, until an online contingent took issue with her leadership, and now she’s been removed. A fellow board member likened it to a “social media witch hunt.” I’m guessing that Ms. Totten hasn’t changed over the course of three decades. But the environment where she is forced to operate has, thanks to the lynch mob mentality of social media miscreants.

I have a good friend who was routinely vilified by his own detractors, via Facebook. This was in a small town south of here. My friend served on the local town council until he was term-limited out. Because his personal views were often progressive and he maintained an active presence on social media, those in town with nothing better to do than “grind axes” decided that his views of being a progressive unduly influenced his behavior on behalf of the town. Not because he’s my friend, but because I know how deeply-committed he was to his duties, I know these false chargers were an outright lie. I could call these charges made by local ne’er-do-wells, “fake.”

Unlike journalists, who must verify information by “seeking out multiple witnesses,” as well as “disclosing as much as possible about sources” in getting to the core of the truth for their articles, those “bomb-throwers” on Facebook and other platforms simply make charges—most of the time, with little or no verification.” These lies and falsehoods that originate in opinion and conjecture, tarnish attempts to get to the truth.

When Norm Fournier died, it was just after the release of my first book. I’m pleased that he gave me his own “blessing” about my own efforts to tell a story that was rooted in journalism, even if my motivation was more to tell a story, and less about a work beholden to journalistic principals.  I know these elements are usually somewhere in most of everything I write.

Before you lob “fake news” at the work of a committed journalist, or spread your own fakery, take a gander at the 10 essential elements of journalism. This is a solid list of principals you could actually incorporate any time you’re tempted to make a charge or accusation. Is what you are going to post actually true? How do you know? Have you verified it with supporting sources? This list goes on.

I’m pretty sure Fournier would approve.