Factual information a tautology?

[Englishfan]

Hi, I often see this word combination:

factual information

Isn't this what we call a tautology? I mean, how can information not be factual? To me, information means knoweldge or the act of providing knowledge. How can knowledge exist without facts? I think, something that is not based on facts can only be called an assumption.

Any thoughts?

[Alan]

[Englishfan]

Hi Alan,

I understand that false information, unreliable information, misleading information, etc. are all used in the English language. My question is, how can information be false if information is defined as knowledge or data? I mean if you know something than it must be a fact, otherwise you cannot know it. Something that is not a fact can only be believed to be known. At least that's how I read the definition of the word information.

[Conchita]

After a few, useless attempts to giving my opinion on the matter, I had to erase my poor arguments -- I think all this is too profound for me and yet I'm curious to hear another say in it.

[Alan]

[Sidle Jinks]

Hi englishfan!

[Alan]

Hi englishfan,

To continue with the point I have already made:

You must live in a perfect world! Information can easily be false if the person giving it to you believes it to be true.

Alan

I refer to the tragic event last week in USA when 13 miners were trapped underground. Initially relatives were told that 12 were saved. Then it transpired that 12 had died. This was described by the authorities later as a miscommunication.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Start or begin?