Media must choose to tell truth or lies

Ms Puddleduck was waddling around the farmyard, not knowing which way to go.

A large red bus drew up, with a message displayed along its side : “Vote for sage and onions! Millions more for the NHS!”.

A wily fox stepped out, with copies of the Daily Telegraph, Mail and Express tucked under his front paw. “Can this be true?” asked the Duck, reading the message. “

Of course!” said the Fox. “Why, it says so in these newspapers, and they are not allowed to print anything that isn’t true!”

“Of course!” said the Duck, and followed him into the herb garden.

I am not a fan of the wasteful and corrupt EU, but much of the prereferendum “Leave” campaign went way beyond the usual electioneering hyperbole, and contained specific statements (money for the NHS, continuing access to the single market), which were untrue.

All of these outrageous claims were repeated – or invented – by the above foxy newspapers.

If the traditional press is subject to “rigorous regulation” (Gazette/ News, 4 May), have they been fined or reprimanded?

As online social media acquires a well-deserved reputation for publishing rubbish, most people will turn back to old-fashioned newspapers (you should be pleased).

An American politician once said to his opponents “You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts”.

The distinction is not always clear, especially when we enter the difficult, but vitally important, world of statistical probability.

Our best defences against fake news are investigative journalism, statistical analysis and a healthy dose of scepticism.

Is this compatible with state control? “The most pernicious and damaging regime of court costs” (Gazette/ Faversham News, May 4) is a massive deterrent against effective journalism, and it has received alarmingly little attention.

I think the press deserves total Where were councillors during the Naked Bike Ride? asks Terry Hudson unfettered freedom, but should have a voluntary Code of Conduct scheme. This would employ journalists and statisticians to examine dubious claims.

Newspapers and online news providers would choose to join the scheme (and pay for it), but would be free to operate outside it, in which case readers would know that they might be reading complete rubbish. Rosemary Sealey Black Griffin Lane, Canterbury what goes on in mosques is closley monitored. Ian Macmillan Sandwich Road Ash

Picture: Gary Browne FM4790069