Truth Lies And The Media
entertainment culture, magick, religion belief 0 Comments »
With each passing year more and more Americans are turning to alternative news sources. Results of a recent survey show that nearly 70 percent of Americans think that traditional journalism is "out of touch." Furthermore, about half of Americans now use the internet as their primary source for news. By comparison, 29 percent of Americans say television is their primary source, 11 percent tune into the radio, and only 10 percent say newspapers.
This trend seems to reflect, among other things, a growing distrust of the mainstream media. The annual "State of Media" report by the Project for Excellence in Journalism states that: "...the public has come to view the news media as less professional, less accurate, less caring, less moral and more inclined to cover up rather than correct mistakes."
Moreover, the mainstream media has lost touch with conservative American values. According to the Media Research Center, surveys indicate that journalists have favored the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1964, including landslide losers George McGovern, Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis. In the last presidential election, a poll conducted by the University of Connecticut found that journalists backed John Kerry over George W. Bush by a greater than two-to-one margin. Likewise, a 2004 poll by the Pew Research Center found that five times more journalists described themselves as "liberal" as said they were "conservative."
As Christians it is important that we stay informed on what is happening in the world around us, but it is also critical that we use discernment when watching the evening news or reading the morning paper. There is an infinite amount of information and resources available to us through the internet and alternative news media outlets, just remember that not everything presented as fact is indeed the truth.
So you're not content to just sit back, relax, and let the cable TV wash over you? You want to know the truth? If so, be warned, you may have to get your hands dirty. As we are faced with an ever-increasing barrage information it is important to keep in mind that the media has its own agenda and takes pride in its ability to shape public opinion rather than to inform it. So what can we do about it? How do we find the truth?
The bottom line is that you've got to be willing to do your homework. There is no such thing as a truly unbiased source of information. Therefore it is important to pay attention to details, check facts, and rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. In Acts 17:11 we are encouraged to receive the word with all readiness of mind, and search the scriptures daily, to find out whether these things are so. If you are at all familiar with our ministry, you probably recognize this verse. In addition to encouraging and facilitating the study of God's Word, we have consistently urged Christians to do their homework. Our prayer for you is that, like the Bereans, you too would be diligent in seeking the truth.
Where do you find truth? If you search diligently you will eventually discover that the "truth" of the world is very different from what the Bible says is true. If your beliefs are built on the wisdom of this world, you will be like the foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-29). When the rains came, and the winds blew, and the floodwaters rose, his house crumbled and fell, because it was not built on a solid foundation. However if your beliefs are built on the teachings of Jesus Christ, you will be like the wise man who built his house on the rock. Not matter what difficulties you encounter in this life, you will have the strong foundation and tools necessary to weather the storm. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Paul begins his list of spiritual armor in the book of Ephesians with "being girded with truth." The real truth: the Word of God.
Related Links:
o State of the Media Annual Report - Project for Excellence in Journalism
o More Americans Turning to Web for News - Reuters
o Media Research Center - Homepage
o Monitor Strategic Trends - Koinonia House
