Reader explores truth vs. disinformation

Independent Newsmedia

Truth used to be the expected response in communication, and written/broadcast news. Truth is the foundation of relationships. Decisions and action taken were based on truthfulness and the accuracy of facts and data. Truth builds solid relationships and action good for all Americans, independent of party affiliation.

Disinformation is overwhelming truth. The internet, social media and most recently, AI, spread disinformation so quickly that truth often plays catch-up.  Proliferation of enemies of the truth are not accidental, but intentional tactics used to manipulate thinking to gain or hold onto power.

Historical autocrats like Stalin, Hitler and Mao Tse Tung perfected the disinformation playbook used by aspiring autocrats today. Technology spreads disinformation instantaneously. What’s posted on social media can be viewed by millions within an hour. Autocrats use technology to manipulate and/or control citizens of their respective countries.

Assault on truth leaves people paralyzed and passive, frustrated because they don’t know what to think. Common disinformation tactics include endless repetition, distraction with outrageous comments and denigrating insults of rivals. Authoritarians use disinformation to appeal to emotion over reason, exploit divisions, undermine critics, dismantle public institutions and create an image of a great leader. Many of these tactics in use today make it almost impossible to discern fact from fiction, truth from lies and reality from make-believe.

We should seek trusted news sources, analyze information. Who is the sender, what are the motives and does the data make sense? Hearing something over and over doesn’t make it so. Question opinions, data, observations. Do not blindly accept what you see or hear; digital data can be manipulated in ways never imagined.

Truth is difficult to discern, but the need to do so is great! The future of our form of government is dependent on the effort we all make to separate truth from disinformation.

Editor’s note: This writer is using a pen name. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.