As a journalist, a trade I have worked in since I was 16 and full-time at 19, I am getting pretty browned off at how our noble profession is being vilified with distorted rhetoric championed by US president Donald Trump. And the United Nations agrees. In one of his latest tweets he branded journalists as “very dangerous and sick” and that “they can cause war”. How classy Mr President. But it is dangerous carry on and putting journalism and journalists in the way of serious harm, according to the UN.

What is “fake news”? It is anything President Trump doesn’t agree with, or his perception of criticism of him or his beliefs. Yet it is a phrase which is managing to undermine traditional journalism. The journalism that I know is guided by very strict laws regarding balance and libel, and has always been about reporting facts in a fair and balanced manner. Do we always get it right? No, but we don’t set out to mislead either.

Where are citizens going to get their independent news from in the future if Donald Trump and those who support him, booing and hissing reporters doing their job, get their way?

That means little to President Trump and those who have latched onto his theory of fake news. And that flawed theory is simple to explain. If the news does not chime with your political or ideological leaning, then it is not true, even if it is. It is where there is a complete intolerance for the opposing viewpoint.

It is where the prejudiced listener, reader or viewer only sees one view as being the right one. It has recently been defined as “confirmation bias”. This is where there is a tendency to search for and cherry-pick only the points that back up one’s pre-existing beliefs or hypothesis. It is something that is alive and well in this country too. Campaigners or people of a strong ideological or political persuasion will have a set view of the media. They will highlight the instances where the alternative view was aired or printed while conveniently ignoring the balanced coverage so as to back up their prejudiced mindset. And that is where the “fake news” wheeze breathes.

We are not in the business of journalism to be popular. We are not perfect and we rightly have our critics. But we shouldn’t be afraid to defend our profession – although in doing so we are in a no-win situation. In an age where anybody of a strong viewpoint with a smartphone can anoint themselves as a journalist, the public needs to realise that proper journalism gives both sides of the story, coupled with rigorous analysis. Because now, if you wish, you can bypass the mainstream media and find a blogger or podcaster who sings your tune without having to suffer the opposing view or voice of reason. For those of you fed up with the media, is this a good alternative for the future?

As newspapers in particular struggle, it begs the question: where is the future space for journalists interested in balanced journalism rather than biased or campaigning journalism? Where are citizens going to get their independent news from in the future if Donald Trump and those who support him, booing and hissing reporters doing their job, get their way? What is the alternative to a state broadcaster? One owned by the likes of Donald Trump? Critics of this profession need to be careful what they wish for. CL

Bad management

Like many Manchester United supporters, I’m not looking forward to the new Premier League season because of the manager – who has managed to drag the good name of the club right down with a combination of his demeanour and style of play. The sooner the “moany one” is sacked, the better.