A chance encounter in the off-licence got me thinking about fake news

It wasn’t the fault of the guy in the shop to think there had been widespread electoral fraud in the US. In fact, as a journalist, it might be mine, writes David Harding

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany was cut off by Fox News for spreading unfounded claims about electoral fraud (Reuters)

I went to the off-licence the other day – the closest I get to going out nowadays. Asked by the amiable manager what I was looking for, we got talking about other things, including the previous night’s dramatic US presidential election.

“Can you believe it?” he said.  

“I know, astonishing,” I answered, while obviously looking for the second cheapest bottle of Cotes du Rhone.