Out of the box Do not believe in hearsay or rumors
In 1983, LHL was a colonel in the SAF. He directed an operation to rescue 13 people who were trapped in the cable car that got stuck when a drill ship collided with it. See here.

Many years later, a friend X told me that he heard from a friend Y that LHL was undecided and uncertain of how to direct the operations. He had to rely on the more experienced people to guide him on what to do. He related some incidents to color up his narrative.

The mainstream media had, at that time, made it appear that LHL was "the hero" who saved the trapped people.

I did not believe what X said. It is called "hearsay". He was not at the event and he only heard from another person.

What I am now telling you is hearsay-hearsay. (I do not know if there is a term to describe it). I am one more party remote from the event.

We should not believe in hearsay for the following reasons:

a) The report from Y could have been malicious (i.e. he made it up to make LHL look bad) or mistaken (he did not have the full understanding).

b) The report from X could also be malicious or mistaken. He could have made it up or misunderstood what Y had said.

c) My report could also be malicious and mistaken. I could have made it up or misunderstood what X told me.

I am not saying that the original report is untruthful. I am only saying that it cannot be believed as it is. If there were several people who came forward and said the same statement, only then does it become more credible.

In a court of law, "hearsay" is not accepted. The witness has to make a statement under oath to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Even so, the witness could lie but he or she could be charged for perjury, i.e. lying under oath.

We should adopt the same attitude towards any news shared on social media. It could be malicious or mistaken. Even a "reputable source" could have been faked. 

Do not believe in hearsay or rumors. Do not form any strong views based on unreliable information. OK?

Tan Kin Lian

Vote - do you agree that hearsay cannot be relied on?
 

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