Growing up, our parents and teachers always reminded us to share, repeated the golden rule incessantly, and stressed the importance of telling the truth.

But these seemingly elementary concepts are important throughout our entire lives, the latter coming into light recently, when the world discovered that Brian Williams was not entirely truthful in telling a personal story about the Iraq War.

Williams is a widely popular and successful news anchor. Even households that don’t watch his broadcast on a daily basis know his name. So, it was no surprise that many people were completely dumbfounded to learn that Williams would mislead his viewers about being inside a helicopter that was shot down in a warzone.

Many called for his resignation or firing. Some gave him the benefit of the doubt. Eventually, NBC chose to suspend Williams for six months.

Williams is the only person who knows for sure whether he intentionally lied, or just misremembered the series of events. But, as journalists and as viewers, we have to hope that his fib was not premeditated.

Being 100 percent truthful is the most important thing in journalism. This is hammered into our heads in journalism school and then stressed in the workplace. As the people who inform the public about what’s going on in the world, journalists must hold the facts above all else. Here at The Suffolk Journal, we take honesty seriously, and strive to bring you Suffolk news each week with integrity and accuracy.

However, the quest for truth spreads beyond journalism. As people, we seek honesty from our friends, family, and significant others. We hold public officials accountable, and ask for authentic answers to pressing questions on social justice and the economy.

And sometimes, we even seek the truth in ourselves.

The truth may just seem like a concept that comes naturally. But, sometimes people lie, and when journalists do, the public is unsure of whom to trust.

That being said, it may be helpful to remember the phrases that outlined our childhood, and repeat them to ourselves sometimes. Honesty really is the best policy.