That's media with a little-'t' truth

While this is quite a bit after the fact, I remember a discussion we had  in class about Truth vs. truth. we decided that Truth would be real, undeniable fact. In many situations this would be considered inclusive of evidence. We also determined that truth was much more along the lines of varying interpretation, much more personal; for the sake of simplicity, it makes more sense if replaced by the  word 'meaning', or what something or event means to someone.

But what is perhaps more interesting about the varying interpretations or the word 'truth' in a subject area that is supposed to be known for its usage of 'Truth', the news and non-social media. However, what we often find is that these outlets do not frequently use 'Truth' and instead they portray an often-times oversimplified 'truth' or meaning to a certain event of document.

 Let's use a piece of legislature that we also discussed in class, the National Defense Authorization Act, or Bill S.1867. We watched a video in class of Anonymous, the hacking organization, reporting that this '"new" bill was violating the bill of rights, and brings a battlefield to citizens of the United States. However, they did not ever actually quote or cite the bill itself, but instead went to Wired magazine, a technology magazine, to repeat exactly what they had just said. If you couldn't have guessed it, Wired also didn't cite the Bill S.1867.

This is a clear representation of 'truth' being used, inappropriately, I might add, instead a perhaps more respectable evidence, or 'Truth', oriented presentation. Fore example, the video failed to present a quote like this one, "Nothing in this section (AUTHORITY OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES TO DETAIN COVERED PERSONS PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE). shall be construed to affect existing law or authorities, relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States." This would be the 'Truth', and if used a little bit more in the media, would perhaps make the would a saner place.

The actual bill can be seen here, and the section referenced is SEC. 1031