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Fake news gets real attention at Newseum lecture

Fake news is a real problem.

On Wednesday, Jessi Hollis McCarthy held a workshop at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. where she educated young students and aspiring journalists how to detect, process, and understand fake news.

McCarthy said fake news is often used as a “political tool,” and it’s also published for entertainment and advertising purposes. But many times news dubbed as “fake” is actually flawed or biased.

“Biased news is not fake news,” McCarthy said. “Flawed news is not fake news.”

Although fake news is a topic that has become significantly more transparent as Donald Trump has taken office, the spread of false information through news platforms is a problem that has existed long before Trump’s administration.

“Donald Trump is not the first president to have an interesting relationship with the press,” McCarthy said.

She mentioned Theodore Roosevelt’s Muckraker Speech in 1906, where he cautioned the public against media that spreads lies about politicians and public figures.

Jessi Hollis McCarthy lecturing students on fake news. By Gabe Ferris.

According to McCarthy, fake news has been around long before the 2016 Presidential election because the First Amendment “protects” fake news, which makes it difficult to regulate.

The Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law… prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom… of the press…”

“The First Amendment is constantly interpreted to have breathing room,” McCarthy said. The press has the freedom to publish anything, despite fabrication.

The only thing the public can do is learn how to properly identify fake, flawed, or biased news by fact checking evidence, researching sources, and taking the time to “dive a little deeper.”

To fact check news articles, use the websites below:

www.snopes.com

www.factcheck.org

www.politifact.com

www.hoax-slayer.com

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Local retail spots boost for economy

Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen is a popular local spot with American University college students and residents. By Celina Ryan.

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Anne Garner sat on Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen‘s patio on a sunny Friday morning reading and eating breakfast.

The 65-year-old said the food is amazing, it’s always cooked perfectly and it’s inexpensive.

“The people, the staff, are wonderful,” Garner said.

Garner prefers independent businesses because they are “more unique” and great for the community, a fact that research supports.

In 2012, Civic Economics found local restaurants, on average, recirculate 79 percent of their revenue locally compared to chain restaurants’ 30 percent.

Independent stores help the local economy, but many in both rural and urban areas are facing competition from chain franchises and big box retailers.

Many small businesses in Washington, D.C. know they face tough competition and take steps to stay in business.

Laurie Tucker, an owner of a small health and wellness business from Greenville, Rhode Island, likes to support other small businesses.

“You have to find your niche, you give that personal piece that the big chains [can’t],” said Tucker, 44.

In Tenleytown, down Wisconsin Avenue from Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen, there’s a Panera, a Chick-fil-A, and a Starbucks. Tenleytown residents said this week that although they prefer to support small businesses, they often end up at chain stores.

Linda Jewell, 63, stood in line at Starbucks while talking about her preference for local businesses. She said local shops offer a better sense of community. So why was she at a chain?

The Tenelytown neighborhood in Northwest Washington is a mixture of local businesses and chain stores. By Celina Ryan.

“I feel sort of guilty about it,” Jewell admitted.

David Smick, 63, said he’ll pick a chain shop because it’s a known quality.

Jennifer Chapman agreed. She and others support chain franchises for the “standardized, predictable, quality.”

Chapman, 51, said she sometimes favors local spots like Busboys and Poets but other times said doesn’t pay much attention.

“I’m more indifferent to it,” Chapman said.

Back at Steak ‘n Egg Kitchen, Garner, who has lived in Washington, D.C. for 40 years, hopes local businesses can survive.

“They’re the best thing,” Garner said. “I just hope they can afford to stay in business. I hope more people can support them.”