Only proper online regulation can stop poisonous conspiracists like Alex Jones | Simon Jenkins

A US court has imposed a huge fine for lies he spread about a school shooting. But he and others like him will continue to sow mayhem

I assume every reader of the Guardian will cheer the news of a $965m (£860m) fine imposed on Alex Jones, the rightwing American conspiracist. A Connecticut court fined him for disseminating the cruel lie that the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting was staged with actors by the anti-gun lobby. Justice is now done. Up to a point.

One of the most unfortunate pi...