The Decline of True Journalism and How it Can Rise Up Again

As an aspiring journalist, it has deeply saddened me to see the current state of the profession slide down from the pinnacle of truth and integrity into this pit of conceited desire for recognition and approval. The majority of journalists and news organizations are now more concerned with keeping their own ratings and favorability in good standing than they are with presenting the truth. By doing this, they are becoming unfaithful to their profession and, more importantly, to the people their job is committed to serving.

Journalism’s downfall matches up pretty well with Paul’s description of ungodliness in Romans 1. He says that “although they knew God (they knew the truth), they did not honor Him as God (they did not honor the truth) or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,” -Romans 1:21-22.

The rise of “fake news” and dishonest reporting is occurring because journalists are giving in to the worldly desire for fame and approval and ignoring the godly desire for morality and faithfulness. The integrity journalism is supposed to be encompassed by is being foiled by conceit in the journalists themselves. This, of course, cannot go on without consequences. People have caught on to the dirty lies and tricks of the news media, and we can say with great certainty that the profession of journalism is now seen by much of our society as corrupt and untrustworthy.

This unfortunate circumstance of modern day journalism must be pinned completely on of the people of the profession themselves. Journalists have become so ideological and opinionated in their work that the defense of their belief system is more important to them than the sincere proclamation of the truth. And the blame for this perversion of the art of journalism falls on both those to the left and the right. Both liberal and conservative journalists have turned the reporting of events into the creating of propaganda for their cause. Instead of telling us “hear these words,” they tell us “believe these words.” Too many journalists, no matter what their political leaning, are guilty of turning the news into a school of indoctrination.

What we see the media doing far too often, whether it be CNN, Fox News, Breitbart, or Buzz Feed, is straying away from a straightforward report of facts to a strategic manipulation of facts in order to esteem a certain worldview. And that is when journalism turns into propaganda. This needs to end, and if political commentary and news reporting are going to revive, if people are going to start trusting their news sources again, then we must start condemning false journalism and begin looking for writers and reporters of honesty and integrity. When we continue to go to and share stories from news corporations and political commentators that we know to be dishonest and unfair, we continue to advocate the “futile thinking” and “foolish hearts” of devious reporters.

Dishonesty and deception are all around, and as Christians, we must stay alert when we read and share stories. We also must stand up for truth and call out fallacious news and inappropriate behavior by the media, and if we stand up to them and start rejecting their manipulation of the truth, we will see changes; truth and righteousness always overcome their adversaries.

In my next post I will, Lord willing, give you news agencies/writers to stay away from and recommend some for you that are trustworthy. It is very difficult to find truth out there, so stay vigilant.

*Image Source: http://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/papers.jpg