Assoc. Prof. Rachel E. KhanJournalism Department, College of Mass CommunicationUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman

L. Day:

“The commitment to truth is perhaps the most ancient and revered ethical principle of human civilization.”

2500 BC Babylon: Code of Hammurabi

33 AD: Judeo-Christian “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

Today, Oath-taking in Judicial courts:“Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?”

WHAT IS TRUTH-TELLING?• Oxford definition: The communication of information that one believes to be true.

Def’n (Aristotle):

1. The agreement of the mind with reality

2. The agreement of the mind with what is utterred/written.

“Plato is dear to me but dearer still is truth” -- Aristotle

IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH-TELLING*:

1. Truth is integral to all communication because, as rational beings, we depend on it to make informed decisions.

• Journalists should bear in mind that inaccurate or untruthful information violates the viewer’s right to truthful information and undermines his freedom.

*Source: Louis Day, Mass Media Ethics, Wadsworth

IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH-TELLING:

• This is because he would not have the tools to make an informed decision; or worse, he would be making a decision based on false information.

2. A commitment to truth demonstrates a respect for persons as equals rather than tools to be manipulated.

• Deception is done in self-interest.

3. Truthfulness in communication builds trust.

4. Truth is essential in a democratic process.

WHAT IS A LIE*?• Lying is a form of deception, but not all forms of deception are lies.

• Lying is giving some information while believing it to be untrue, intending to deceive by doing so.

*Source: “Lying; Moral Choice in Public and Private Life” by Sisela Bok

• A lie has 3 essential features: A lie communicates some information The liar intends to deceive or mislead The liar believes that what they are 'saying' is not true

WHAT HARM DO LIES DO?

EFFECTS ON THE PERSON/S LIED TO: They are deprived of some control over their future because: They can no longer make an informed choice about the issue concerned They are not fully informed about their possible courses of action They may make a decision that they would not otherwise have made

In mass media, the audience may suffer damages as a result of the misinformation (e.g. buying the wrong stocks, panic and paranoia, etc.)

EFFECTS ON THE LIAR: •The person who intentionally released false information will also suffer the consequences of his actions: He has to remember the lies he's told He must act in conformity with the lies He may have to tell more lies to avoid being found out He has to be wary of those he's lied to His long-term credibility is at risk He will probably suffer harm if he's found out

• If he's found out, people are more likely to lie to him• If he's found out he's less likely to be believed in future.

Point to ponder:

Is there such a thing as a “good lie”?Can we say that there can be a “morally correct” reason to lie?