Don’t let fake news get you down

Fake news is neither new, nor is it unique to politics. Fake news is as old as telling lies. And it is incredibly sad seeing a digital communications technology, which has a huge capacity for opening lines of communication, misused for political ends.

In the hands of politicos content to misinform citizens, the immediacy and broad reach of digital communications, along with our nation’s basic lack of understanding of how our government works, is a deadly mix. Life doesn’t have to be this way.

A little perspective might help. My political communications career in Maine began in 1989. But in the 1970s, I was a freelance writer selling stories and interviews to music magazines — and that’s where I first ran into “fake news.”

I was interviewing the two Allman Brothers Band drummers. Drummer Jaimoe’s wife, Candy, asked if I would let her review my interview before publishing. It never occurred to me to say ‘no’. Later, Candy told me my instant ‘yes’ to her request showed her I was a writer who would not invent in my interview, fake words and actions, attributed to the Allman Brothers.

Years later, my start in political writing began knowing nothing about politics or government except how I felt at any given moment. Tired of my own ignorance, and the fear of looking stupid in public, I decided to self-study politics and American government. Soon after, I wrote a letter to the Newtown Bee newspaper editor, in response to a story about a man shot and killed trying to cross over the Berlin Wall by East German soldiers.

I was afraid writing that first letter, I was afraid to mail it, and I was afraid someone would read my letter and respond, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

What happened instead was a personal milestone.

Connecticut couple, Natalie and Gerald Sirkin, did read my letter. They sent me an encouraging note, and invited me to their home.

The Sirkins were American citizens in the true definition of good citizenship. They understood good American citizenship required knowing and practicing our responsibilities, not just our rights. The Sirkins understood how our system of government works, and the role of American citizens in ensuring it works well. They kept abreast of politics — local, state, and federal; they were informed on issues and, as good citizens should, weighed in on issues, pro-or-con, with their elected officials.

Mrs. Sirkin also wrote a monthly local newspaper column, “Natalie’s Corner.” Gerald Sirkin’s guest editorials were published in The Wall Street Journal.

Fake news didn’t stand a chance with the Sirkins because they were prepared.

I left the Sirkins with their guiding principles I use in my public writing or appearances since. “When you write about politics,” said Natalie Sirkin, “remember two things: Make sure your facts are correct. And never get over-emotional. If you get over-emotional — even if your facts are correct — people will think you’re crazy, and they won’t listen to you.”

It is up to each of us, if we don’t know already, to learn how government works, and how to learn about key issues fully, not just from one point of view.

Internet opportunities for positive two-way communication are better than ever. Not just for politics, but for every interest under the sun. Shopping, social media, online businesses, clubs, education, sports.

I look forward to exploring precisely how the internet is helping rural Mainers, and how we might benefit with better telecommunications. Please email me if you have a story to share.

Meanwhile, don’t let any fake news get you down.

Scott K. Fish has served as a communications staffer for Maine Senate and House Republican caucuses, and was communications director for Senate President Kevin Raye. He founded and edited AsMaineGoes.com and served as director of communications/public relations for Maine’s Department of Corrections until 2015. He is now using his communications skills to serve clients in the private sector.