An editorial written by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and published by The Huffington Post on Feb. 28 considers the strengths of Canadian media.

The editorial was prompted by recent discussion in Canadian political circles of amending a Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulation that prohibits broadcasting misinformation. Kennedy praises Canada’s Radio Act, which mandates that “a licensee shall not broadcast … any false or misleading news.”

The adjusted regulation would have applied only in cases where a media outlet was aware that the information was false and when the information “endangers or is likely to endanger the lives, health or safety of the public.” Kennedy links the Radio Act to Quebecor Media’s attempt to start a new right-wing network called “Sun TV News” in Canada.

He also denounces American media coverage as “toxic, overtly partisan, biased and dishonest.” American media was formerly subject to the “Fairness Doctrine,” which applied discretionary regulations to fair and equitable coverage in the press.

It was abolished in 1987. It’s a stretch to connect Sun TV News directly to the changes in the Radio Act.

At the same time, Kennedy is right to commend Canadian media regulations. While no media outlet can ever claim to be entirely unbiased, each must be held to the highest possible standard of accountability.

Allowing media outlets to lie when misinformation does not directly endanger the public sets a bad precedent.

Outlets may plead ignorance of their falsity and to the consequences of their actions at the time of publication.

In an age where political discourse is increasingly adversarial, the public must be insulated from misinformation as much as possible.

By virtue of wide reach and great resources, media outlets have an immense power to influence public opinion.

If this power doesn’t come with a mandate to present the truth—or at least, to not present lies—the very idea of “news” is compromised.