Joy Behar, a co-host on ABC’s “The View,” found herself at the center of controversy after making an incorrect claim about President Donald Trump. Her assertion was so off-base that even her co-host, Whoopi Goldberg, had to step in and fact-check her on live TV.

During a discussion on the show about former FBI Director James Comey’s recent testimony before Congress, Behar declared that Trump had “admitted to obstruction of justice” in a tweet he had posted earlier that day. However, Goldberg quickly corrected her, pointing out that the tweet in question had actually been posted by Trump’s attorney, not Trump himself.

Behar, clearly caught off-guard, tried to backpedal, saying, “Well, the attorney works for Trump, doesn’t he?” But Goldberg wasn’t having it, insisting that the co-hosts needed to be “very clear” about the facts.

The incident was an embarrassing moment for Behar, who has been a vocal critic of Trump on the show. But it also highlighted the importance of accuracy in journalism and media, particularly in the age of social media and fake news.

Journalists have a responsibility to fact-check their stories and sources before publishing them, and to correct any errors they make in a timely manner. The same goes for commentators like Behar, who may not be journalists in the traditional sense, but still have a role in shaping public discourse and opinion.

As Goldberg pointed out, it’s crucial to be “very clear” about the facts, especially when discussing a topic as serious as potential obstruction of justice in the highest levels of government. Behar’s mistake not only damaged her credibility as a commentator, but also potentially misled viewers and contributed to the spread of misinformation.

The incident also reflects the polarized and charged political atmosphere in the United States, where even basic facts can become contentious and open to interpretation. In such an environment, it’s more important than ever for people to seek out and rely on trustworthy sources of information and to be vigilant about fact-checking and verifying claims.

Overall, Behar’s humiliation serves as a reminder that accuracy, clarity, and transparency are essential values in journalism and media. Without them, the public discourse becomes distorted, polarized, and unreliable. As journalists and commentators, we must strive to uphold these values and maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity.