Germany Shouldn't Force Social Media Firms to Be Arbiters of Truth

A German politician recently announced legislation to require social media platforms to delete posts that meet the law's definition of "fake news" or face significant fines. The difficulty of identifying fake news combined with threats of fines would impose significant costs on social media companies, particularly startups, and likely result in the removal of legitimate articles, such as satirical pieces, write Nick Wallace and Alan McQuinn in The Local. Fortunately, more effective and less burdensome alternatives are available to help tackle fake news.