The truth vs fake news and lies
Among believers, there is this Truth."Lord," said Thomas, "we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14: 5-6.)
From scientists, there is this truth, for example, about the January 31, 2018th super blue blood moon, a rare phenomenon that last took place 150 years ago. You and other watchers of this rare triple lunar treat will yourselves confirm and validate the truth about this heavenly phenomenon.From you, this truth. You are alive. You are reading this. The truth of your existence is real.
What about news that speak the truth? As example, there was a Senate hearing about fake news last January 30.The news that Du30 went on a 3day official visit to India is true. So is this news from Al-jazeera about Du30's remarks to a group of Indian and Filipino business leaders in New Delhi:
"while he talked about the armed conflict in Mindanao and criticized the "totally bankrupt" ideology of the armed Muslim fighters, who laid siege to the southern city of Marawi for five months in 2017, "for nothing," Du30 remarked, "the come-on is that if you die a martyr, you go to heaven with 42 virgins waiting for you. Well, if I could just make it a come-on also for those who'd like to go to my country."
What about fake news?Filipinos have been warned about fake news sites: See, for example, http://www.gmanetwork.com/ news/hashtag/content/382094/think-before-you-click-list-ofpinoy-fake-news-sites/story/.
Wikipedia also listed more than 50 fake news sites for Philippine audiences. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_fake_news_websites.
Elections, here and abroad, have been won with fake news spread in various media. Very few bother to check if the sources and content of shared news are reliable and correct. The result: Lies and fake news are considered the truth.
People faced with much lies and fake news, in the long run, will no longer bother about the truth. They will prefer to listen and read incorrect news that is made to appear as correctand truthful.The self-discipline to ferret out the truth and their analysis about issues will disappear.Ignorance will be the new norm, fake news THE truth.
We are witnesses now to this alarming acceptance and glorification of fake news in our country. Those who spread lies are even rewarded with plum positions and perks, using public funds. Those who point out the truth are instead vilified, dismissed from their positions, charged in court or jailed.
Governments, businesses, media, schools, and churches, among others, can do their share of restoring truth to our people, our nation, our world.There are those in government and other sectors, however, who may not welcome truth that undermines their present position of power and wealth. Perhaps, this following reminder may be timely and relevant for all, especially those who have turned to lies and fake news instead of the truth:
"Truth is evaded or concealed when it is inconvenient, criminalized when it is 'insulting,' denied when it contradicts religious beliefs, tampered with when it is in conflict with ethnic or national self-esteem, ignored when it is irritating to the powerful."
"Truth is always potentially a stumbling-block, because it is of the nature of truth that it is what it is, regardless of anyone's wishes. However, because it is the case of it is what it is, in the long run it is generally better to heed it than to ignore it: sooner or later the waves will hit the shore, and it is well to be prepared." (Benson,O and Stangroom, J. (2006) Why Truth Matters).
‘People faced with much lies and fake news, in the long run, will no longer
bother about the truth.’