Chief Minister Howard Quayle used his state of the nation address today to round on social media critics and attack ’sensationalism’ in Manx news.

Towards the end of his speech, which was widely praised by Tynwald members, he said there was a ’worrying trend for knee-jerk responses to social media’.

He said there was ’much discussion about fake news’ and added: ’To me, the role of a free press is more important than ever.

’I have noticed, though, an increasing tendency for more sensationalism in the way stories are reported.

’We should remember what is in the public interest is different to what is interesting to the public,’ Mr Quayle said.

’We cannot rely on second-hand gossip posted anonymously to inform our thinking.’

’Good journalism is well-researched, relying on facts and evidence rather than half-truths and tittle tattle.’

Mr Quayle did not make it clear whether the anonymous ’second-hand gossip’ he was referring to was being carried by news outlets, social media, or both. Nor did he specify any particular media reports that he considered to have been ’sensationalism’.

The chief minister went on to say: ’There are many benefits to social media, but we must also be alive to the fact that many of the things we read on it are not objective.

’They often contain incorrect information and are driven by a single person’s agenda.

’I think we can do better.’