Fake news. What began as a description of utterly false articles fabricated for political advantage or just profit was immediately co-opted by Donald Trump to attack any story or opinion piece in the mainstream media that had the temerity to correct him, criticize him, or otherwise not applaud his

stunning electoral landslide. This has in some ways put journalism on its heels, because no matter

how reprehensible, the endless repetition of a naked lie does make an impression.

And the is so is not back and forth can elevate empty accusation into an unwinnable debate.

But there have been moments of clarity and resolve.

CNN's Don Lemon cut a segment short after a conservative guest denied a demonstrably true report by invoking the F word.

Please stop it with that stupid talking point that is a fake news story.

If you don't want to participate in the news stories on this network, then don't come on and participate.

But don't call them fake because you don't agree with them.

Go on.

Don, this is a fake news story, in my opinion, because the underlying assumption is that... Thanks, everyone. Thanks for watching.

Have a great weekend.

Good night all.

That's one approach.

Back in November, famed First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams said that in the age of Trump,

the press should consider another option. If you are a news organization falsely accused of fabrication

at the expense of your reputation, sue for libel. That's something like advising Superman to attack evil-doers with kryptonite,

but verily it has come to pass. Accused by a Colorado state senator of publishing fake news,

the publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel has threatened to retaliate with the very

legal weapon that historically has made news organizations weak in the

knees. Publisher Jay Seton says it began with a column about an initiative to open state records,

a bill stalled in Senate committee. There's a bill in the Colorado legislature that would

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