@mikegalsworthy Too much blame on the internet, and not enough on the traditional print and broadcast media. The UK is second only to America in allowing its legacy outlets to become echo chambers for careerist hacks and vested interests.

I'd recommend Nick Davies' book, Flat Earth News, for an unsettling look at how factual reporting has surrendered to the "mass production of ignorance" and the rise of "churnalism": lazily pumping out attention-grabbing copy wihout any concern for the truth.