Rumor Control
Is it Mis, Dis, or Mal Information?
There's a lot of rumors out spreading out there. A new one popped up today on Facebook. “I heard this” about you! And then someone says “I’m sharing it, too” cause others need to know. All written without any evidence! Over the years, I’ve been on the receiving end of countless rumors. Well, at any rate, I'd like to address the most recent rumors about Desert Messenger News.
“I heard it”, then someone repeats it, and then someone posts it online. Sheesh! No, I do not and have not received any government or non-profit grants or loans to “put out the paper.” There are very few government grants for newspapers at all, let alone for small monthly free community papers. But facts be damned! Folks love a good rumor!
Oh, yeah, I’ve also been accused of receiving “taxpayer money”, so, let’s look at that.
Do I receive “taxpayer money?”
Cambridge Dictionary says the definition of a “taxpayer” is simply a “person who pays tax” to the government. However, most folks today use “taxpayer money” to describe the money/funds (received from taxpayers) that the government uses to pay its expenses. It’s a common phrase heard repeatedly from politicians, and those accusing the government of overspending.
According to Wikipedia, “Taxpayer’s money MAY refer to: Money held by individuals or businesses that are taxpayers, or Public funds, all money spent or invested by government to satisfy individual or collective needs or to create future benefits.” Confused yet?
So, with one definition, if a “taxpayer” spends their money for an ad in Desert Messenger News, does that count as “taxpayer money?” If so, that would mean every penny that you, a “taxpayer”, spend at the local grocery store would also be considered “taxpayer money.” How do you feel now about the phrase “taxpayer money”?
Wouldn’t it more accurate to use “government funds/money” when discussing government grants or loans? Yeah, I know, the term “taxpayer money” is so much easier, and besides, it triggers all those emotions, right?
The American Psychology Association explains people are more likely to share misinformation when it aligns with personal identity or social norms, when it is novel, and when it elicits strong emotions. So please be mindful!
I realize that it's probably too late for the rumors flying all over Facebook, but sometimes we just gotta deal with it head on! We all know Fake news spreads much faster in today's society. The problem is Fake news will be remembered longer than the boring facts I’ve just laid out.
Rumors and fake news pose a serious threat because it interferes with the solutions to other important problems. It’s really easy for someone to make a share a rumor about a small business that causes can create a firestorm of negative activity (AKA harm). Then that comment gets shared over and over again. Exhausting, right?
According to Western Technical College:
False information can distort people’s beliefs, especially when it's repeated over and over again. Repetition is a great tool when used to reinforce positive and productive messages, and extremely dangerous when false information is continuously repeated by people in power positions, whose goal is to control the thoughts and beliefs of a group for personal gain.
Repetition can numb the mind. It has been scientifically proven repeatedly, that when people are presented with evidence that proves something 100% correct, quite often not only they refuse to acknowledge the facts, they double-down on their beliefs in false information. They have willingly or unwillingly abandoned their own power of independent and critical thinking in exchange for what, exactly?
So No, Desert Messenger has never received government funding to “put out the paper.” As with any business, individual, or organization placing an ad in the paper, a government entity would be purchasing an “advertisement”. Simple, and boring.
Before you go… It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, and I’ve struggled to write much, but I do have a couple of articles in the hopper. So please stay tuned. And thank you to all my paid subscribers. I appreciate you more than words can express. Thank you! ~Rain