What are the dangers of Donald Trump branding news items as "fake news"

Fake news, like the irresistible rise to presidential power of billionaire businessman, TV celebrity and unapologetic misogynist Donald Trump, is a modern phenomenon. In many ways the two seem inextricably linked, as fake news is readily associated with Trump, a phrase appearing time and again in his pronouncements and Tweets.

There is, of course, nothing new about 'fake news' other than its contemporary manifestation as a media buzzword (or two buzzwords.) It used to be called propoganda. Totalitarian regimes the world over have used their press stooges to disseminate falsehoods, semi-truths and outright lies, creating a climate of suspicion where contrary opinions became labelled as subversion.

Thankfully, this backdrop is no longer the case. Modern communication means that as long as a government isn't suppressing access to URLs, political dissent can flourish across the internet, and for all that Trump's supporters will lap up each of his 'fake news' accusations, his opponents can very easily unearth the truth and present it just as universally.

Is it dangerous for the supposed 'head of the free world' to be indulging in spreading something as inane as fake news? Perhaps. But it's also a symptom of a political figure who doesn't know the difference between Kurds (an ethnic group prevalent in Turkey, Iraq and Iran) and Quds (an Iranian militia), and who should perhaps listen to his advisors more and indulge in sweeping statements less.