The era of Fake News may soon crash into accountability. ABC News stunned observers – and especially its colleagues in the mainstream media – by abruptly settling Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit for $16 million and an expression of “regret.” The move tacitly admits that George Stephanopoulos lied on air about Trump.

The New York Times followed up by warning that Trump would use defamation and libel lawsuits to quash “critical coverage,” painting the media industry as a David against a Goliath. But media enjoys enormous advantages in defamation and libel lawsuits —including massive resources that normally outweigh the plaintiffs'.

ABC and Disney did not get sued for “aggressive coverage,” as the Times claimed. They got sued for lying on air. They settled and apologized because they got caught. Defamation and libel actions exist to hold media accountable for malicious lies.

The Times and other media outlets want to paint themselves as victims in order to keep publishing “fake news.” Their outrage speaks volumes about their plans for the next four years, which makes accountability all the more crucial now.