There’s been a lot of discussion about “fake news’ in recent weeks. President Donald Trump uses that phrase a lot. He’s not alone. Others have picked up on that phrase. Facebook has many postings about “fake news.” That’s a bit ironic, considering Facebook is a major source of “fake news.” Don’t blame Facebook; blame those who used Facebook to post “fake news” to further their agendas. Many websites and other sources also pose “fake news,” sometimes unknowingly and sometimes on purpose.

It’s a safe bet that many people who use the “fake news” phrase apply it to media that they believe don’t represent their views. From the president down to a city council member, tossing out the “fake news” accusation seems to be on the rise. These people play on the distrust, even fear, which some people have when it comes to media outlets. These people know that their support bases will eat up the “fake news” pronouncements because they already believe the media is telling lies and/or misrepresenting information.

“Fake news” has been around for years, better known as propaganda or misinformation campaigns. Liberals, conservatives and centrists use the “fake news” label these days. Some “fake news” is created by teenagers with access to computers and too much free time on their hands. With some people, creating and spreading “fake news” has become nothing more than entertainment. And with gullible people out in the world, sometimes “fake news” becomes something much worse than harmless entertainment.

With scams and the like, it’s always been: if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. Perhaps the attitude with “fake news” should be: if it appears to be questionable, it probably is questionable. Consider the source of any information. Find sources that are trustworthy. They are out there.

On a Sunday afternoon, a North Carolina man walked into a Washington, D.C., pizzeria and ping-pong bar. He fired at least one shot from his weapon. Edgar Madison Welch told police he did so because he was investigating information that a child-trafficking ring operated out of the establishment. It was a false allegation, started by “fake news.”

It’s one thing when politicians and political parties use “fake news” to damage their opponents’ campaigns and administrations. It’s quite another thing when “fake news” puts people’s lives in danger.