Should news organizations claiming to tell the truth be legally obligated to do so?

Viewers watch news programs because they want to be informed on current events and they do not have the time or the resources to find this information on their own.  Viewers rely on getting accurate information from the news, but how often do they actually receive this.

There are two parts to the news: the facts, and the interpretation of the facts.  This divides the news into objective information, and subjective information.  We rely on and expect the objective information to be accurate.  News stations are providing a product to its customers, and selling that product as true information about current affairs.  In doing so, there should be some accountability for the quality of information they are broadcasting.  It is unreasonable to hold interpretations to high standards, but the accuracy of the facts should be imperative.  Whatever stance a news organization decides to take after the facts are laid out is their prerogative.

However, news stations aren't held to the same standards as other businesses.  There is no legal obligation for them to deliver the product that they promise to their customers.  Because there is no personal consequences to do so, news stations deliberately lie to their viewers to keep ratings up or to support a hidden agenda.  That agenda may be keeping in cahoots with a political party or a wealthy corporation.     

Any viewer of television news can see that the biggest culprit of false news is Fox News.  They all do it, but Fox News takes the cake.  If this upsets you, then do some research to really find out how much they lie about the facts and use those lies to mislead their viewers.  I suggest first starting with the case of NEW WORLD COMMUNICATIONS OF TAMPA INC WTVT TVv. AKRE.  This case sets the legal foundation for "news" organizations to lie.  If you wish for a very brief explanation of the case follow this link. 

Lies in news shows do not only affect the opinions and intelligence of the viewers, but it can have dangerous and damaging consequences.  They can wrongly claim something is good for you when in fact it can kill you.  They can wrongfully claim a person or company did unjust things, when really the only unjust thing going on is slanderous news.  They can prey on the minds of their viewers to justify a war based on false information.  The more they lie, the more powerful they can become, and the more powerful they become, the easier it is to lie. 

There must be something done to hold news stations accountable, whether it be requiring any program using the term 'news' to be truthful with their facts, or for some form of disclaimer to be used so viewers can identify credible news sources from imposturous ones.  This type of corrupt and deceitful behavior needs to be stopped.  I am not sure what it will take for that to happen though.   My hopes are that in the near future we can build a new trustworthy system for getting the real news to the majority of the people.  Trust in news stations is faltering and must continue to do so, because only when people start to question something, can change come.  But for now, I will continue to fact check every internet news source I use, and to ignore the mainstream media.  We can't rely on the news, at least not until the news is forced to be reliable.