I think the biggest problem is that news relies on advertising to stay in business. If nobody’s watching, the advertising dollars drop off, and the news service is at risk for layoffs or closure. So of course they’re going to “report” on various “stories” that get people watching, whether it’s a bald-faced lie or not.
If media didn’t have to rely on advertising, they could just ignore the chump. It wouldn’t fix everything. Between Twitter, Breitbart/Fox News, and assorted neonazi bloggers, he for sure has an echo chamber. But at least his unhinged, toxic lies would have less of an audience.
I’m reminded of a granuloma, which is similar to a cyst. It’s pocket of pus and bacteria (or other infectious agents), contained within a fibrous sac to keep the infection from spreading. The body literally creates a barrier to prevent the infection from spreading and killing the host. We need something like that.
