Telling the truth has been almost absent from American politics over the last four years.
But yesterday a new era began.
Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
Forget politics.
What excites me is his attitude to disinformation.
He’s pledged to make telling the truth a priority.
And if he succeeds, he’ll both raise the bar for politics and strike a blow for liberty.
Because the real enemy is misinformation.
Whereas the truth will set you free.
Read on.
President Trump’s first hours in office began with White Office Press Sean Spicer berating journalists.
And lying about the numbers attending the 45th inauguration.
Trump’s presidency ended with lies about the “stolen vote”.
And in between, he fuelled hatred of the media.
Discord between rivals.
And utter disregard for the truth.
If we think this an American problem, it’s much wider than that.
The internet creaks under the strain of conspiracy theories and provable lies.
Which, unfortunately, many people believe.
Because they’ve “done research”.
Which means looking at blogs and unverified YouTube videos.
When I started in journalism in 1976, I was asked immediately to separate fact from opinion.
“A black BMW collided into a white van”, is an opinion, I was taught.
“A black BMW and white van were in collision” is a fact.
Brexit, Scotland’s independence referendum, elections in the USA and UK depend on voters making informed choices based on facts.
But we’re being fed opinions dressed up as facts.
I watched in awe as Biden’s new Press Secretary Jen Psaki greeted the media with courtesy.
Answered questions openly.
And promised transparency.
Now I’ve lived long enough to know that the Road to Hell is paved with good intention.
But starting in pursuit of the truth is a much more optimistic path than launching a presidency built on lies.
At Pink Elephant Communications, we urge the same advice to every client.
Whether that’s when making a presentation or working with the media.
Going for a virtual job interview or handling a difficult conversation.
Tell the truth.
It’s essential in building trust.
It’s vital in working with integrity.
And it’s crucial in leaving the world a better place than the one we entered.
We teach the importance of telling the truth to our children.
We expect it from our family and friends.
And we demand it with our clients and partners.
The Trump presidency created misinformation on an industrial scale.
It’s eroding people’s confidence in government and authority.
Turned family members and neighbours against each other.
Leaving disinformation to spread as fast as the other great threat to our well-being.
Covid-19.
So I for one will use Biden’s mission statement to re-enforce a principle I hold dear:
Tell the uncomfortable truth.
Work hard to improve.
And pledge to make enemies of misinformation, misconception and misunderstanding.
Because the truth will set you free.
Bill McFarlan is co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Pink Elephant Communications in Glasgow.
You can read his full profile here.
Photos in Telling the truth blog by jlhervàs / CC BY / Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA / Third Way / CC BY-NC-ND on Foter.com.
Telling the truth blog edited by Colin Stone.
21st January 2021 Featured in: Blog, Commentary, Communication skills training blogs By: Pink Elephant
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