There has been a big journalistic discussion about the word "lies." Here is the editor of the Wall Street Journal's Op Ed, which was prompted by a controversial TV interview where he said newspapers should use the word "lie" cautiously. Here is a NYT response.

I suppose I can see that a "lie" is a "deliberate intent to mislead," but if you are campaigning and are talking trash about your opponent anyway, can't we assume that's "bad intent?" Isn't there a responsibility, in that arena, to make sure it's true before spewing it? I think the journalists are too soft on lies, frankly.