Businessman Kostas Kleanthous releases statement on misinformation

Businessman Kostas Kleanthous has issued a public statement addressing the rise of misinformation and false claims in public discourse. He argues that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it should not be used as a pretext for defamation, public condemnation without evidence, or the spreading of rumors. Kleanthous warns that such actions erode trust in institutions and poison the quality of public debate, eventually weakening society as a whole. He asserts that public figures must be prepared to face criticism, but emphasizes that personal confrontation is not the solution to fighting toxicity. Instead, he calls for public accountability and the courage to speak out against the presentation of suspicions as established facts. The businessman stresses that it is a collective responsibility to ensure that truth and accountability prevail over noise and misinformation in the digital age. He concludes that society will be judged not only by what is said, but by what is tolerated in the face of falsehoods.