Today, "social networks" have expanded exponentially with the advent of Twitter, Facebook and their sister social media sites. This in itself is a huge problem with the speed in which incorrect information can be propagated across a community, and indeed the nation and world. These well meaning people now have a megaphone with a huge reach when compared to only 12-15 years ago.
Besides the above, we are battling deliberate big and little lies. Which makes both of them extremely potent is their use of "elements of truth" that give them feasibility and credibility.
This morning, Dec. 29, Meet the Press had an entire segment on Searching for truth in an era of 'alternative facts.' I still have to watch the entire hour-long program, but I did make it to the segment where they diagrammed the progression of a lie. In the link above you will find is as a short video segment called Anatomy of a Lie.
Before that segment there was an interview with who some would label as "Fake News." That being the editors of The New York Times and Washington Post. Two points I'll highlight from that segment are: 1) It is not enough to report on an event. To research the facts, get opposing opinions on those facts and then write the story. Both editors called attention to the point that they need to do a better job of explaining to readers and listeners of their journalism how reputable journalism functions. Not with a specific point of view, but to present information in as unbiased manner as possible. 2) The editor of The Washington Post called attention to his humble roots in Louisiana. He noted that the media needs to do a better job of understanding the perspective from which many in the nation perceive the function of media.
An issue that I've written about before is the "Big Lie,"which is nothing new. Nero likely used it when he blamed the Christians for setting the fires that burned Rome. For a more recent perspective on the Big Lie see this, The art of the big lie: the history of fake news.
We all have a personal mission as citizens and also as leaders in our community to counter false narratives — of any type. When you start with the assumption that government and mainstream media can't be trusted, then we are on a slippery slope to not being believed when we issue warnings, provide disaster preparedness information, or before the disaster educate people about hazards.
If you are a young emergency manager, managing truth and trust will be a significant component of what you do throughout your career. Begin with the assumption that not all people will believe what you are telling them.
