Fake Truth!

'So Rupert Murdoch is stepping down from his role as co-Chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp to become Emeritus Chairman,’ said Janno, reading from the news feed on her iPad.

'Yes, what a magnificent contribution he has made to journalism,’ said Johnno with a scowl. ‘Carl Bernstein, the journalist of Watergate fame, has repeated often that the role of the journalist is to obtain and deliver the best obtainable version of the truth. In contrast, we have Murdoch Media, who have consistently and knowingly perpetuated untruths in the pursuit of controversy and ratings. From phone hacking in the UK to the most recent saga, when Dominion alleged that Fox had damaged its business by spreading false claims that its machines had helped rig the 2020 election in Joe Biden's favour. And to no-one's bloody surprise, Fox ultimately paid Dominion close to a billion $US settlement to avoid a lengthy and potentially embarrassing trial.’

Alphy had observed how disregard for the truth seemed to be an increasing phenomena with many Saps, and it was particularly conspicuous among autocratic leaders, (or those that aspired to be). On AC, they had resolved this problem eons ago. They had developed a super-computer resource that was used to check the veracity, or otherwise, of statements or claims. It was known officially as TBK (Truth Be Known). Alphy mused as to what Aussie Saps would call such a resource. Something along the lines of BuBu (Bullshit Buster) he thought smiling to himself. The design criteria for TBK was simple, it had to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Alphy was somewhat amazed to find that the same principle was applied by some Saps in their judicial systems, but alas in true Sap fashion, that was as far as they had taken it.

TBK was a resource that was available to all Centaurians. It had undergone many refinements over time to maximise its appropriateness and determine exactly what queries it could be used for. This was a complicated process and was still evolving. When it first became available, it caused considerable social consternation. ’Is my partner having an affair, and if yes, who with?’ It had even started a long philosophical debate as to what was truth? But one thing all Centaurians could agree on, it was that it had rapidly stopped Politicians and other high status individuals from blatantly lying, and this had a tremendously positive impact on the development of Centaurian governance and society overall.

Alphy had often pondered what the impact on Earth would be if they also had access to a Sap TBK facility, for example in the United States. The Guardians on AC had even considered deliberately and subtly ‘leaking’ the technology to selected scientists and engineers in order to facilitate Sap development to a more advanced and sophisticated society. But Alphy had persuaded them it would be a futile exercise. ‘A significant number of Saps have given up on facts and science-based evidence,’ he told them. ‘If they believe it, then it’s true. Without a doubt, their new mantra would become Fake Truth!_