A Rumour Is Just That

 

I heard something

From a reliable source,

That meant it was true

Based on the source of course.

We seem to think

That when such we can claim

Our piece of information 

Will veracity attain.

For as long as I can tell

There have been allegations

And you know what?

They lacked substantiation.

Such that the quick to speak

And the eager to spread

Started to broadcast

What that reliable source said.

It ended up in court

And the dependent lacking proof

Had to pay the price

For spreading an untruth.

It might have been true

The source may have been right

But your source also heard

So you lost the fight.

The only news that’s certain

Is what has been proven

And you should be an eyewitness

To what actually happened.

Hearsay information 

Turns into a lawsuit

And your reliable source

Becomes a deaf mute.

When you’re in the dock

He is nowhere to be found

An you end up

Looking like a clown.

You’re also out of pocket

By a considerable amount

And may have to incur a loan

To settle the account.

Even with the media

One has to express great care

For even they can get it wrong,

Of lawsuits they’ve had their share.

They’ve lost some too

And they’ve paid a hefty sum

For concerning the evidence

They had little or none.

So be careful with your news

A rumour is just that

And unless you can prove it

The courts will not find it a fact.

As this election campaign is fought

They’ll be quite a lot of rumour

But before you spread the news

Of its veracity be sure.

At its inevitable end

You may face the courts alone

With no reliable source

To help you chew on that bone.

Stewart Russell © May 2018