I am writing to you regarding the article “Electors must Dump Trump,” which I found particularly compelling for its effort to open a debate on the meaning of “fact” in today’s media. However, I believe that the conversation can be pushed further.
As the piece cleverly highlighted: “If alternative facts are not questioned, they become facts”. 
It’s fair to say that in an era overwhelmed by social media, sensationalized and scandal-ridden headlines have all but risen above the conventional newspaper article. Proving to be extremely marketable, fake news dominates a portion of the media.
Nevertheless, it’s impossible to blame the press and only the press for the circulation of false information. 
The success of fake news is also product of the demand for it.
How can we blame Trump for the lies, when journalists are so eager to report them? How can we blame journalists for writing alternative facts, when people are so willing to believe them?
 Undoubtedly, it is a journalist’s duty to “question alternative facts and scrutinize claims,” but it is the people’s duty to be wary of information and to read with a most critical eye in a continuous effort to find truth.

Saskia Hatvany
Undeclared