The Reform politician is furious and declares he has been defamed by the journalist.
The journalist says that he is not defaming him: he is merely describing him.
And he is. Nothing that has been said is untrue or unfair.
Defamation is the act of making a false claim about someone that harms their reputation. It is an act of malice and there is no place for this; none at all.
But what if accuracy harms your reputation? Is this allowed?
It is important for democracy that it is. Truth trumps reputation every time. Reputation is usually a fairly hollow construct, and one which we honour with extreme caution. It can quickly collapse.
Many of us do not wish for accuracy when it comes to ourselves, apart from when we visit the doctor perhaps. (Though we may even resent it there.)
We’re happy with accuracy about others, preferably negative; we quite enjoy that.
But we’re not happy with accuracy aimed at us. We’re stuck in the claustrophobic bunker of our self-image and God help anyone who lets in some fresh air.
People often say to me, ‘I like to think I’m pretty self-aware’.
But what if what they like to think is delusional, as generally it is?
What if what they like to think is largely a fiction created by their insecure ego?
If this is pointed out, the first reaction is often anger, fury and immediate rejection of the idea. The feeling is of insult, hurt and defamation, that’s how the ego must frame accuracy, as it hastily constructs its ramshackle defences.
But what if accuracy is beautiful? What if it comes to bless? What if accuracy is like an angel?
We may be disturbed by its arrival; angels can surprise and do not always bring cake.
But if we are tired of our airless bunker, of this endless cycle of suffering, we might wish for that angel of accuracy today.
They bring good news.
