By Kathy Hughes

Contributing Writer

Are you informed, misinformed or disinformed? And, how would you know? It has been said that the word “information” is like a chameleon — a word whose meaning can be changed, twisted and manipulated to suit different situations.

Lately, the term “false information” is used to discuss the circulation of made up situations, particularly on Facebook and Twitter, during the political campaigns. Does this come under “freedom of speech,” or should the owners of these media refuse to allow false information to be published?

It seems like a good idea to take a close look at what the word information actually means. Can information be “false” and still be information?

Information came into the English language through the French, who derived it from Latin.

At the time it was adopted into English, the French version of the word meant “to advise, “ as well as “to communicate news;” however, in its origins, the Latin form of information meant to “form the mind,” or to educate or instruct. It would seem that there has been ample wiggle room in the relationship of “information” to “truth.”

If you know Latin, you may realize that the word “fact” comes from the verb “factore,” meaning “to make” (as in “factory”), as well as “to do;” by extension, “fact” is a product or an action, which relates to an actuality. (Probably irrelevant to this discussion is that as an action, “fact” meant not just any action, but an evil deed.) Not until 1630, did fact come to specifically mean something that is real, or an event that actually happened.

As information consumers, we are subject to the “tinker bell” effect — we tend to close our eyes and repeat “I believe, I do believe, what I want to believe.” Unfortunately, information is subject to spin, distortion and outright fabrication; all information will not hold up to the truth.

The Nazis perfected the use of disinformation, and disinformation is what “false information” is by another name. While misinformation is accidental in its origins, disinformation is the purposeful spread of lies and invented truths to discredit and weaken an opponent, and to gain advantage and control over and to confound supporters. The Chinese government does it, organized crime does it, and the Russian government does it; and, to whom do they do it? Probably, to us. And, now, are we going to allow it to be done to ourselves?

Who among us would spread rumors and lies? It could be those who will profit from unsafe or immoral practices; it could be those who oppose change and regulation due to vested interests; it could be those who lust for power.

Fire regulations like fire escapes, emergency exits, fire extinguishers were opposed at first, just as environmental and financial regulation is opposed now. We began with the issue of Freedom of Speech, as opposed to its control. We may be reminded of the classic example on the limits of free speech: you cannot stand in a crowded room, and cry “fire!” Democracy demands that citizens be knowledgeable and that they use good judgment, for the greater good.