*FAKE NEWS AS A WEAPON*

Mimicking Trump, local officials use 'fake news' as a weapon.

President Trump's campaign to discredit the news media is spreading to officials at all levels of government.

Many of them are echoing his use of the term ''fake news'' as a weapon against unflattering stories.

The term has become a signal to a politician's supporters to ignore legitimate reporting and as a smear of the press corps.

In Idaho, for example, a state lawmaker has urged the constituents to submit entries for her own ''fake news awards''.

The Kentucky governor tweeted HashtagFAKENEWS to dismiss questions about his purchase of a home from a supporter.

Experts on the press and democracy say the cries of ''fake news'' could do long-term damage by sowing confusion and contempt for journalists.

It also undermines the media's role as a watchdog on government and politicians.

One of a package of stories making Sunshine Week, an annual celebration of access to public information.

[Agencies]