by: Kaitlyn Mashburn and Dr. Bonnie Riechert
Keith Miles discusses information, misinformation and disinformation, urging news consumers to be skeptical and urging communicators to be truthful and transparent.
People are bombarded every day with information, misinformation and disinformation, so we must be skeptical news consumers and earn trust as communicators, Nashville business leader Keith Miles told Belmont students at a recent Intellectual Well-being WELL-Core event.
“We’ve always had to be careful consumers of information,” said Miles. “Today, even more so.”
A partner at MP&F Strategic Communications, he discussed “Information/Misinformation & Intellectual Health: The Role of Ethical Strategic Communication.”
Miles defined information as the data, facts, knowledge and directions that are relevant to us in making decisions every day. Misinformation is “information that’s wrong inadvertently.” Disinformation is not only incorrect, but includes “the intent to deceive,” he said.
Psychologist Steven Stosny coined the term “headline stress disorder” to describe the negative effect of misinformation and disinformation to intellectual health. A 2019 study by the Pew Research Center showed 66% of American are “worn out by the news.”
Relating to intellectual health, Miles said that receiving misinformation can cause stress, anxiety, negative thoughts and can even negatively affect memory. Dealing with these issues can be taxing on personal mental health, which is why having accurate information is important.
News consumers can always investigate the truthfulness of reports, he said. “It’s up to you to make sure it’s correct.”
Communicators can be guided by the Public Relations Society of America Code of Ethics, Miles suggested. Principles such as the free flow of information, disclosure of information and enhancing the profession depend on the values such as honesty and transparency. “If you take a hit to your credibility, it just takes a second, and to rebuilding it would take forever.”
Miles summed this up by saying that we have a responsibility to be open, honest and transparent and do personal research to find the most accurate information. “Work harder, be more skeptical and remember there is hope — ‘truth will out,’” he said, quoting from Shakespeare’s “Merchant in Venice.”
Miles joined MP&F in 1995 after careers in journalism and politics, becoming a partner in the firm in 1998. He is the professional adviser to the Belmont University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. He was named the Teahan Outstanding Professional; Adviser in 2016 and 2019 by the national organization. He was honored by the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter with the 2019 Hercules Award for his contributions to the community and the profession.
His presentation was co-hosted by Belmont PRSSA and the Department of Public Relations. Belmont PRSSA is one of more than 350 chapters in the national organization and is open to students interested in public relations. The chapter has received national awards in ethics advocacy, chapter development, Outstanding PRSA/PRSSA Relationship and community service.