I resist false and unverified information!
I remember an old story of how a certain news reporter failed to verify the death of a victim. He reported that the victim died in a casualty. This report came out in the newspaper the following day. You could just imagine how the victim, very much alive, was puffing red with anger as he stormed into the newsroom, waving that day’s issue of the paper with extreme vigor and demanding loudly immediate action from the editors.
This story, deemed true, was handed down from one generation of reporters to the next. Whether or not the storyteller of one generation added colors to the story that suit him or her, the message of the story drives home one loud and clear point: verifying information is important!
Other editions to the tale included an interesting sequel—the victim’s family was, to a certain extent, “harassed” by his relatives, friends, and colleagues who ironically did the verifying of information themselves to check if the victim, a quite well-known figure in the society, was really dead.
Sadly, what with the false declaration of his death printed in thousands of newspaper copies and read by thousands of subscribers, the damage was already done. The victim, while he may be recovered from the situation by now and may remember the event with a degree of forced humor, may have developed a sense of distrust towards the institutions and individuals that are supposed to be working for the truth.
For me, the sense of distrust is a huge obstacle in the effective communication process. This is a sad thought because communication, after all, is a vital part in community development, an integral factor in boosting the spirits of the people to work for their country.
Noticeably, the dynamics of communication has somewhat evolved dramatically over the past few years. Newspapers, radio, and TV are no longer the only sources of information. Each one of us can now access information through the Internet, making each one of us creators and users of information. If we are wise and responsible, we could use this information, verified by various stakeholders, to come up with the best programs that work for the poor or abused women and children or our overseas Filipino workers.
Unfortunately, many are still hounded by false and unverified information, such as money scams that raise false hopes among the poor and make them even poorer, death hoaxes that harass and violate the rights of the victims, and false information that, when verified, could put the country to shame.
Hence, as I greet the New Year in a few hours, let it be my preamble that I resist false and unverified information because I am wise, responsible, and compassionate to my fellowmen, and I want to contribute to the progress of my country.
Spreading false and unverified information should end.
How about you, what is the “mediocrity” you want to resist and hope to end? Share them in this post!
Book blogger and Senior Editor cebubloggers.com
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