Probably not.

I've worked for a company where the Vice President (the top dog at our division) proclaimed very strongly in an employee meeting that the company was certainly not for sale and all the rumors should be put to rest. Less than 72 hours later they announced that the company had been sold. And yes, the guy who made the announcement most certainly knew of the pending sale and all the details of the ongoing negotiations.

Corporate management will say what they feel needs to be said. The truth is often (unfortunately) irrelevant.

I'm sure what Barry has to say will be very interesting and I applaud you for arranging this. Will I believe what Barry has to say simply because he said it is true?

Probably not.