No matter which side of the political aisle one belongs to, this is a timely topic which deserves even more attention. It is a topic with existential implications particularly in poor regions of the world governed by dictators and tyrants and where freedom of press and solid academic and research institutions are virtually non-existent.

The ancient controversy regarding the nature of TRUTH has engaged mankind for millennia. Socrates confronted/engaged the Sophists of his day who often regarded as TRUE whatever anyone wished to think and articulate.

Very insightful references provided by President Obama. In particular, I enjoyed reading How to Stop Misinformation Before It Gets Shared via Wired.

Parts of the article's recommendation agree with William James who stated:

"True ideas are those we can assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify".

"The greatest enemy of any one of our truths may be the rest of our truths".

This tension between different conceptions of TRUTH is particularly lethal in poor nations with millions of young disenfranchised jobless man and women.