Is It a Lie?



1st of April. Just another day? Or, in truth, every day? April Fool’s Day hasn't always been like any other. Nor has it always been a day of lies, pranks, and the “fools” who are tricked—or who deceive, and sometimes even deceive themselves. One of the most widely accepted explanations for the origin of this tradition dates back to the 16th century, with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Prior to this reform, New Year was celebrated between 25 March and 1 April. With the adoption of the new calendar, New Year moved to 1 January. However, some people continued to celebrate it in April, whether out of resistance to change or ignorance of the new rules. These individuals became targets of mockery and practical jokes, earning the label “April’s fools.” Over time, the custom spread and evolved into what we now know as April Fool’s Day.

In today’s world of rampant misinformation, trust in traditional sources of knowledge—such as the media and science—has been undermined. This crisis deepens with the speed at which information spreads across social media, where emotion often overrides factual accuracy. This environment has led to two distinct groups: one that questions everything it sees and hears, and another—growing in number—that is easily swayed by sensationalism.

The Parable of the Lie and the Truth captures this perfectly: the Lie dressed itself in the clothes of the Truth, while the Truth, refusing to don the garments of the Lie, walked the streets naked. Yet this image of purity was seen as indecent—an affront to public morals and decorum. Since then, for many, it has become easier to accept the Lie dressed as Truth than to face the Truth in its bare (and harsh) reality.

In a world saturated with digital information and advanced technologies, the notion of truth has become more fluid and difficult to define. Traditionally, in philosophy, truth is associated with correspondence to reality: a statement is true if it reflects the world as it actually is. However, fake news and deepfakes deliberately distort reality, fabricating manipulated versions of the "truth."
Fake news refers to false or misleading information created to manipulate public opinion, deceive, or promote specific agendas. These stories mimic legitimate news and spread rapidly, gaining credibility through mass sharing. Deepfakes, on the other hand, are an even more sophisticated form of digital manipulation. Using artificial intelligence, they create realistic but entirely false videos or audio recordings in which someone appears to say or do something they never did—so convincingly that it’s hard to tell fact from fiction.

Are we, then, facing a crisis of truth? The ongoing tug-of-war between truth and falsehood—fuelled by fake news and deepfakes—is a constant battle in the modern digital landscape. Here, truth is not just about facts; it is also a matter of power, influence, and control. Preserving it requires both individual discernment and collective action to build more transparent and accountable information systems. The future depends on our ability to tell truth from manipulation.

Journalism plays a crucial role in defending the truth.
In Brazil, Journalists’ Day is marked on 7 April, honouring those professionals who investigate, verify, and communicate information ethically and impartially. Whether through radio, television, print, or digital platforms, the journalist’s foremost duty is to pursue the truth—always grounded in credible sources and informational rigour. In times of crisis and uncertainty, journalism reveals its true value by providing quality public service, delivering news based on facts and diverse perspectives. Beyond informing the public, journalists play a fundamental role in holding those in power accountable and fostering a more enlightened society.

In an age where fake news has become a growing threat, the role of the journalist is more relevant than ever—vital for cultivating a media landscape that is transparent and trustworthy.

Fact-checking organisations, which verify and validate information before it is shared, help improve the reliability of media content and place constant pressure on content creators to uphold high standards of accuracy and credibility. From a public service perspective, the European Parliament published a guide in 2019 titled “How to Spot Fake News,” which we recommend to readers. By providing tools that encourage the public to question and verify information before accepting it as true, we also promote a more active and critically engaged society.

Disinformation threatens not only truth, but also trust in society.
To address this challenge, we must combine technology, education, and ethical principles in a concerted effort to restore and uphold the integrity of information in the digital age. Combating disinformation requires a shared commitment to truth, built on rigour, responsibility, and a dedication to accuracy. Only through such measures can we build a safer and more reliable information ecosystem.

To paraphrase Portuguese writer Vergílio Ferreira: “Truth chooses the one who chooses it.”
And since not everything that glitters is gold:
Don’t be fooled… not even in April.

Talk to us: pxp.cminho@gmail.com


Column published in Correio do Minho on April 07, 2025




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