Is it now wise to pick fights with those ink-barrel buyers?

Early in my career in journalism and marketing communication, I was told you should never start a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel. Or more to the point, don't get in fights with journalists because you can't win. They will always have a bigger megaphone than you and they can both outlast you and drown you out.

I wonder if that advice can still be viewed as wise. Consider the recent example of Justin Verlander and his Twitter battle with Fox Sports writer Dieter Kurtenbach. Verlander jumped in initially to support his teammate Michael Fulmer as a candidate for Rookie of the Year, but the exchange quickly became fierce and spirited. What I couldn't help notice is that Verlander was able to hold his own precisely because it is possible in today's world to control both the content and distribution of your own message. He didn't have to rely on any other media, or worry about how said media might filter his message.

So I ask you: Is it still true (if it ever was) that you shouldn't start fights with people who buy ink by the barrel? Especially when the ink-buyers are pushing falsehoods and irresponsible narratives . . . maybe some of those fights are long overdue.