When Truth is More Evil than Lies

While all recognize that being truthful is evolved human behavior leading to progress and lies are bad behavior that produce misery after perhaps some temporary gain, there appear to be exceptions to this rule, at least at first glance. This happens when information is presented selectively albeit truthfully to create an incorrect impression. It is a technique often used by many in some of the major world media to promote an opinion desired by their masters. In this manner the media cannot be held to account for fake reporting and not reporting something can be attributed merely to carelessness.

Consider the following fictional account of a democratic election to take place for a President of a fictional country and the two main contenders in the fray are A and B.

Mr. A is a crooked, evil and corrupt person but has one good habit. Even the worst of humans may have a good habit or two for he is only human and not yet Satan. Mr. A has a soft corner for old persons and on weekends he visits many bringing food and any other help that they may need. The rest of the week however he is back to his evil deeds that includes murder of opponents, even rape of children as well as collecting huge bribes to increase his mansions and wealth.

Mr. B on the other hand is a good and compassionate man really out to help ordinary citizens and having all the qualifications and wisdom necessary for the job. He has a bad habit too for even the best of humans may have a bad habit or two for he is not yet god. After a beer or two with buddies he has been known to use very foul language in private at times and some of it has been recorded.

Now consider some prominent media which boasts of being truthful (not morally equivalent whatever that means) decides to support candidate A because he has promised to help big boss with his business once elected.

Now begins the presentation of truthful but selective information. The media remains silent on the evil deeds of Mr. A but repeatedly shows him helping old persons in need. On the other hand it hides all the goodness of Mr. B by not reporting on it but repeatedly plays his foul language tape and organizes endless panel discussion to stress the point.

The end result is that an impression is created in mind of viewers that Mr. A is the worthy choice and unless the public sees through this naked dance of evil through the use of truth that is neither neutral nor morally equivalent, Mr. A shall win. He shall go on to help someone in his business that includes the Military industrial complex. War shall be launched in Biraq, Byria, Bemen, Bibya, Budan, Bibghanistan and Baza to help sale of arms. Millions of children shall be maimed, starved, killed and rendered refugees while a few soldiers shall be killed as collateral damage. The media shall announce proudly that it insists on being absolutely truthful.
 

Refugees: "Papa please don't cry, I am still with you."

On the other hand to help the Pharma business of another buddy, cheap medicines imports shall be banned, new drugs not approved so that a thousand dollars can be charged for an essential medicine available for a few cents elsewhere. The President shall say we cannot regulate med prices but let the free market decide. A sweet old lady, just like our mother in old age, shall sell her home to buy her medicines, put few clothes and a family album in a shopping cart and sit on a Manhattan street holding her med in one hand a hat in another until the city declares it is illegal for homeless to sit on streets or to feed them because she is an eye sore for big boss when he visits Broadway for shopping.

The conclusion is that it is not words that decide what is truth or lies but the impression and meaning that is conveyed. Information that is presented selectively albeit truthfully, is far more evil than lies and it is therefore far more important to be moral rather than insist on truth to create false impressions.

Reflecting on the matter further, the reporters do only what they are supposed to in order to keep their jobs, the boss tells them to do what he does in order to keep his business going and the law maker helps him out because he needs his funding for elections. Nevertheless, in this cycle of compulsions, society as a whole, the majority, suffers, many in grave ways as described in this note. Only an adherence to morality by all and a refusal for immoral acts can break this cycle.