Trust in the media is at an all-time low, and for good reason.

We in the business of journalism have exempted ourselves

from the normal rules that used to govern us,

and so the most egregious kinds of reporting errors

are becoming more common.

Formerly well-respected news organizations and experienced

national reporters are making the sorts of mistakes

that wouldn't be tolerated in journalism school.

When these mistakes are corrected at all,

it's with seemingly little regret.

And the corrections never get anywhere near as much attention

as the original, salacious, but incorrect narrative.

How do we get here?

I discuss that in detail in my book The Smear.

Here are three factors.

First, firewalls that once strictly separated news from opinion

have been replaced by hopelessly blurred lines.

Once forbidden practices such as editorializing

within straight news reports,

and the inclusion of opinions is, if fact,

are not only tolerated, they're encouraged.

The result, it's never been harder for Americans

...