The rise of misinformation and disinformation in the age of social media has rapidly increased. This presents unique challenges to organizations and government agencies. It’s the job of an organization, and the public, affected by misinformation and disinformation to combat such attempts through media literacy.
Media literacy is the ability to access, evaluate, analyze, create, and act using all forms of media and communication available to evaluate and reflect on what facts are being publicly distributed.
The Borough, through this webpage, will provide factual information about Borough operations and data. This page is designed for checking publicly written material that has been purported as fact by third parties but deemed false. The webpage may not address every publicly written or posted issue. The information on this webpage will help you navigate through mis and disinformation traps, and at a minimum, put you on the right track to ask more questions in searching out objective truth.
This page will be updated/revised frequently, so check back often. Remember: It is best to call the Borough Office (610) 837-6525 for more information on any published materials about Borough operations by independent third parties.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Material about the Borough has been publicly posted in high volume. The Borough will do its best to provide factual information, make corrections to any potential misstatements, and offer retractions with its own content when and where required.
FAIR WARNING: The Borough has every right to protect the integrity of its records and data from public misuse. If you misuse the Borough’s records and data to misrepresent, misinform, or disinform public interest, you could subject yourself to liability. Public opinions are always welcome. If you represent Borough record(s) and data as your opinion, you should be clear to your audience and distinguish a fact versus opinion.
Definitions
Conspiracy Theories are often based on unsubstantiated claims and involve the belief in hidden plots or secret agendas. They can gain traction and spread rapidly, especially during times of uncertainty or crisis.
Disinformation is false information deliberately spread to deceive or mislead people. Disinformation includes malicious content and hoaxes. The purpose is to spread fear and suspicion among a population. Disinformation is serious because it can be used to destabilize democracy.
Fact a thing that is known or proved to be true. In law, the truth about events as opposed to interpretation.
False Information this includes completely fabricated stories or claims that have no basis in truth. They are intentionally created to deceive or mislead people.
Mischaracterization to describe a situation, event, or person wrongly.
Misinformation is false or inaccurate information. This is saying or publishing things that are rumors, insults, or pranks, especially with intent to deceive.
Misleading Content This type of misinformation presents information that is technically true but presented in a way that distorts or manipulates its meaning. It often involves cherry-picking data or omitting important context to create a false narrative.
Misrepresentation an intentionally or sometimes negligently false representation made verbally, or by other means and conduct, or sometimes by nondisclosure or concealment and often for the purpose of deceiving, defrauding, or causing another to rely on it detrimentally.
Opinion a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
Catalog of Misinformation/Disinformation
The Counterspeech Doctrine
The remedy for speech that is false is speech that is true. This is the ordinary course in a free society. –Justice Anthony Kennedy, 2012
(United States v. Alvarez)
Having a dialogue (within reason and context) with Borough Council at open public meetings is the bedrock of governance and being responsive to the needs of the community governed. This includes criticisms, no matter how harsh. It’s important and helpful to other citizens and Council members if information delivered during a public meeting is prefaced on fact or a stated opinion. Not that this will always be the case. However, if facts and figures are disseminated by anyone, there should be a relevant source for observers and interested parties to research for themselves.
There are moments at either a public Borough Council meeting or posts to social media outlets sharing examples of mis or disinformation. Borough administration has a strong conviction and commitment to its public that such instances of mis or disinformation should be identified with proper context and clarity. This assists the Borough and public for a better understanding of the issue or situation, as not to be further mislead or disinformed. Especially if this information is coming from records Bath maintains.
We each have a civic duty to contribute to a culture of truth and accountability, promote informed public discourse, and help safeguard our democracies.
Here’s a catalog of misleading, misrepresented, misinformation and disinformation being circulated about Borough of Bath operations:
November 7, 2022, Council Meeting Article – What led to the formation of the Borough’s Fact-Checking Webpage:
The article above was originally posted to the Borough’s website on November 13, 2022, and re-posted to this webpage on August 29, 2023. There were minor corrections to the article for clarity and readability.
