Would it Be Patriotic to Ban Politicians Lying?

A democratic government is currently debating legislation. You might think the First Amendment makes it impossible here, but it's already illegal to lie in many contexts.

To all Americans who support this country as a democracy, in which no one is above the law, Happy 4th of July! 🎇🇺🇸🗽

A question for you: Would it be patriotic to ban politicians lying? A democratic government is currently considering just such a law. I explore it in the new episode of They Stand Corrected:

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And in my new column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the city where the recent disastrous debate happened.

This is the second newsletter accompanying Episode 13. For parts about the debate, the lies, and the fact checking failures, see yesterday’s newsletter.

Be sure to listen to the episode wherever you get podcasts, or right here!

Now, on to this law. It’s currently being considered in Wales, as this piece in The Conversation explains.

Would a similar law run up against the First Amendment here? Maybe. But as I discuss on the show, before we decide what our opinions are, we should first look at the relevant facts. In this episode, I trace you through many ways in which it’s already illegal to lie, including false advertising, perjury, libel, the proverbial yelling fire in a crowded theater inciting panic, and stolen valor.

In fact, it’s illegal for Americans to lie to Congress and to the federal government in general. So would it be such a stretch to say it’s also illegal for our leaders in the federal government to lie to us?

In the episode, I explain why I’m personally wary of such an idea. So this is not me saying, “Let’s do this.” But the discussion is important because it highlights a crucial need for the truth.

So much of the media is doing such a bad job of being a consistent, trustworthy source of truth. Something has to happen to build truth as a value and expectation in our society.

Weigh in with your thoughts! Paid subscribers, write in the comments section or drop me a message here. Everyone else can find a form at my website.

I know I have listeners around the world, so share your thoughts on how such a law might play out in your countries as well! Meanwhile, a throwback pic to a couple of years ago:

Big love,

JL