Responsibility Lies With the Gatekeepers
Journalistic duty is not to amplify every whisper from the internet. The iNews piece tried to balance the rumor with Stokes’ denial, but it still gave the false premise space. When the ECB, the England and Wales Cricket Board, does not immediately refute such claims, the vacuum is filled by speculation. In contrast, the Pakistan Cricket Board has learned – the hard way – that silence fuels conspiracies. The lesson is universal: silence is not neutrality, it is an invitation for misinformation to flourish.
Consequences for Ordinary Fans
For a working‑class supporter, a pound is a hard‑earned pound. Paying for a fabricated story is a micro‑theft that adds up across millions of fans. Moreover, the emotional toll of being misled erodes trust in the media that covers our beloved games. When the narrative is driven by clicks rather than facts, the sport itself suffers – broadcasters lose credibility, sponsors question the value of their investment, and the players are forced to defend themselves against baseless chatter.
