Public trust in the media has declined sharply in recent decades, a trend (0) THAT shows no sign of abating. The proliferation of online platforms has made it possible for virtually anyone to publish content, regardless of 1 accurate it may be. So thoroughly 2 the lines between news and opinion been blurred that many readers can no longer distinguish one from the other. 3 responsible the majority of professional journalists may be, their work is increasingly drowned out by a tide of misinformation. Not until social media companies are held accountable for the content they host 4 the situation improve significantly. Were stricter regulations 5 be introduced, the quality of public discourse could be transformed — or so argue those who advocate for greater media accountability. Critics counter that any form of content regulation risks amounting to censorship. Difficult 6 it may be to strike the right balance between press freedom and public safety, the alternative — a world in which truth and falsehood carry equal weight — is far worse. 7 or not it is possible to find such a balance, the attempt must be made if the very concept of shared factual reality is to survive. It is ultimately in 8 interest — journalists and public alike — that a workable solution be found.