Arianna Huffington

There are terabytes of strong evidence proving misinformation exists: educated people vote against their best interests, ideological think tanks brand themselves with patriotic labels, and naked lies are exposed on the internet.

On the other hand, truth and facts are more available to the masses than any time in history. Lies, disinformation, and wrongdoing have been exposed at a nearly exponential pace. Just imagine in the early twentieth century how many months or years would pass before large groups of people could be enlightened to facts which would change their perceptions? That was the Golden Era of manipulation.

Has the Information Age become an Orwellian dystopia in which we are overwhelmed with misinformation? Or, are we on the path to freedom through truth? I caught up with Arianna Huffington — Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Huffington Post — to get her perspective as she leads her expedition across the sea of information …

Damien Hoffman: Arianna, a popular current debate is whether we live in an age of misinformation. What do you think?

Arianna: I do not think we live in an age of misinformation. Misinformation and disinformation are a part of human nature. They have always been part of communicating.

On the contrary, new media makes it easier to fact check and collect information in real-time or as close to real-time as possible. Of course, the new Information Age does not mean we can do away with editors or curating information. But it means providing information is not the prerogative of only the elite.

It is simply untrue to say that misinformation is the result of new media. In fact, the mainstream media — with few honorable exceptions — missed missed both the financial meltdown and the truth about WMD while covering the run up to the war in Iraq.

Damien: With the new excess of information, how does the average person know whether they are consuming facts or spin?

Arianna: When a new media organization appears, it is on trial until it proves its commitment to truth, fact checking, and accuracy.

Damien: As a successful businessperson in media, what is the secret to success in reaching the masses with good journalism?

Arianna: You need a commitment to the truth. The truth is not always to be found in the middle. So you have to find it no matter where the chips fall.

For example, in my case I supported Barack Obama for President. However, I have been very critical of him because we are following the facts and are committed to discovering the truth.

Damien: Arianna, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this very interesting topic.

Arianna: Thank you, Damien. I love your site. Keep up the great work.

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