Why Do People Call It "Fake News"?

Periodically, when writing an article, we have referred to the national news media as "fake news." Some may wonder why such a designation is used. The short answer is that "news" institutions manipulate the facts to reflect their own views on various matters. The major outlets do not broadcast all events that run contrary to their views (they may air it once, then cut it). They sometimes withhold factual information. Nevertheless, some may wonder if using the phrase fake news is just an allegation or "sour grapes." Some of us have known the reality of news "bias" for years, based on the way the local and national news treats the pro-life position. But below are some documented instances of the fraudulent handling of data.

Some may recall that NBC did a story about the alleged defective gas tanks in General Motors' trucks. Although there was some evidence for the charge, NBC went beyond the pale by showing a truck blowing up. The producers, in order to get the results they wanted, actually put the wrong gas cap on the truck one that would pop off and cause the fuel to fall on lit flares that had been placed underneath the car that hit the truck. Boom! Very impressive, but fake. GM sued NBC and received an apology from them. The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times both covered the rigged crash and the lawsuit (Feb. 10, 1993).

According to AdWeek (Oct. 15, 2005), a reporter was seen rowing down a flooded street in New Jersey after a terrific downpour. She looked like she was in several feet of water in the midst of suburban streets. About this time two men walked by her, thus exposing the fact that the water was only ankle deep. Matt Lauer looked confused, and the news staff cracked up.

One of the most famous edits involved George Zimmerman's phone call to 911 with respect to the ensuing fight with Trayvon Martin, in which the latter was shot, dying from the wound. NBC aired an edited version of the exchange between Zimmerman and the 911 operator. It appears that Zimmerman is saying, "This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black." From these words, how would anyone conclude anything else but that Zimmerman was motivated by prejudice?

Whether he was or not is not the point. That was not the conversation that took place. The entire conversation occurred as followed:

Zimmerman: This guy looks like he's up to no good. Or he's on drugs or something. It's raining, and he's just walking around, looking about."

Operator: OK, and this guy is he black, white, or Hispanic?

Zimmerman: He looks black.

NBC admitted they edited the tape and issued an apology. Even the Washington Post wrote: "No matter how you feel about Zimmerman, that bit of tape editing was unfair to the truth and to Zimmerman's reputation."

More recently, according to the New York Times Brian Williams had to acknowledge that he had not really been under enemy fire while covering the Iraq War (Feb. 4, 2015).

CBS

Many will remember the fake news story that 60 Minutes broadcast within two months of a Presidential election (when hopefully it would influence voters), claiming that George W. Bush's military service was based on forged documents. The story was based on inaccurate information.

However, this following CBS event may be less well known. It would be difficult to twist facts any more than was done here. Radio stations usually present news blurbs at the top of the hour. Consider carefully what the announcer said:

The viral video of a beating and knife attack in Chicago suggests the assault had racial overtones. CBS's Dean Reynolds tells us the victim is described as a mentally-challenged teenager. In the video he is choked and repeatedly called the n-word. His clothes are slashed, and he is terrorized with a knife. His alleged captors repeatedly reference Donald Trump. Police are holding four people in connection with the attack.

Do you think you have an adequate concept of what occurred? Then you may be surprised to learn that the perpetrators were black, and the mentally-challenged youth was white. Blacks often use the n-word on whites as an insult. What about Trump? Oh, they mentioned his name, all right, preceding it with an obscenity. They were charged with a hate crime. CBS never apologized for slanting the report to make it appear as though it were the exact opposite something that backfired quite noisily, since so many had actually seen the video. The story was plausible as presented, since similar events have occurred. No race holds a monopoly on either righteousness or villainy. All human beings are subject to sin and in need of salvation.

ABC

ABC and others have tried to make it look as though they are broadcasting on location when they are not. Viewers have caught them at it. In 2017 ABC slandered a meat processing plant in South Dakota. Their revenue dropped 80% when their product was referred to as "pink slime." They sued and won $177 million dollars for false reporting.

MSNBC

One contributor to MSNBC has insinuated that President Trump is a KGB agent, who was co-opted by Vladimir Putin at some point, and that there ought to be "treason trials." However, no one from MSNBC took exception to President Obama's comment to Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, when he told him to tell Putin he would have "more flexibility" after the election. In fact, although many Americans have seen the video clip, MSNBC's Katy Tur said she had no idea what was being referred to.

CNN

Nancy Grace and Ashleigh Banfield appeared to be in different parts of the country, talking split screen via satellite. Viewers at home noticed that the same cars and trucks even a giant bus were seen in the background driving behind both of them. They were speaking from the same parking lot! Anyone who is deceptive over something that doesn't really matter well, how can they be trusted with things that do? Incidentally, anyone can watch the episode by going to YouTube and typing in "Nancy Grace fake."

Many people have seen the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" gesture that supposedly imitates what Michael Brown did in Ferguson, Missouri shortly before he was shot. What many people don't know is that the 6 foot 4, 300-pound man never struck such a pose. According to the Washington Post of March 19, 2015, it originated with Sally Kohn and three panelists on CNN, who were trying to show sympathy with the deceased. Later, a sheriff in Milwaukee, David Clarke, would comment that "fake news" was born when the liberal media originated and perpetuated that myth. "Fake news" has, however, been around for a much longer time than just the past five years.

Control

Jim Morrison is mostly remembered for singing with the Doors, a rock band, from 1965 until his death in 1971. He was typical of many others in the industry, partaking of alcohol and drugs, but he had earned a Bachelor's degree in 1965. He actually attended Florida State for awhile before graduating from UCLA. He took the name of the Doors from a novel by Aldous Huxley The Doors of Perception. Published in 1954, it details Huxley's psychedelic experience under the influence of mescaline from the preceding year. One observation that Morrison made is worth remembering: "Whoever controls the media, controls the mind."

What about all the news stories that have never been mentioned. Most people have probably heard about Darfur, Africa now. 300,000 people died there, but our media said little or nothing about it. Nicholas Kristoff, who has won two Pulitzer Prizes, commented:

The news media's silence, particularly television news, is reprehensible. If we knew as much about Darfur as we do about Michael Jackson, we might be able to stop these things from continuing.

Is there collusion among the media as to what to include and what not to? Not necessarily, but most of those involved share the same values. Over the years, several studies have shown that the media leans sharply to the left (What a shock!). One might have figured that out since they are pro-abortion and pro-homosexuality. But in case anyone missed it, in 2005, researchers at UCLA discovered "a strong liberal bias" among the news media with the exception of Fox News and The Washington Times. UCLA is not exactly a bastion of conservatism, but these were their findings. Even in 1997, it was learned that 61% of reporters leaned left while only 24% leaned right.

Harvard analyzed the way the news media treated President Trump in his first 100 days of office. On average, 80% of the coverage was negative. CNN's coverage was 93% negative. Prominent newspapers, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal were included along with the networks. The only one showing any kind of balance was Fox, whose coverage was 52% negative and 48% positive. [All of this information has been documented in The True Story of Fake News by Mark Dice.]

Bari Weiss has been in the news lately because of her resignation from the New York Times after three years. She comments about her left-leaning colleagues:

My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I'm "writing about the Jews again." Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in. There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly "inclusive" one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times' employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.

There are terms for all of this: unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge. I'm no legal expert. But I know that this is wrong.

The Upshot

With pressure put on employees of the news media to conform, is it any wonder that almost everything tilts to the left. So, what do all these things mean for Christians? First, don't depend on the news media to tell us the truth. They have not earned our trust.

Second, wait a few days before believing what has been reported. Corrections are sometimes made even if somewhat obscurely. Third, check out the story. In addition to "fake news," parody websites present made-up news stories that never happened. Use the Internet to verify if a report is legitimate. In fact, check out the events reported in this article, if any doubt exists.

Fourth, realize that "political correctness," which usually runs counter to Christian principles, is rampant among the news and the sports media. With many of these individuals, only one correct view exists theirs. All other views are to be mocked or silenced. According to Christian Post, some have been suspended from Facebook for nothing more than posting verses of Scripture that condemn homosexuality (Feb. 21, 2017). Anyone who does not think freedom of speech is under assault has not been paying attention.

Fifth, as citizens, we feel we have an obligation to be informed, but we must watch out for the manipulation of the news. We must have a skeptical attitude because we know the media can slant things. Since most of them are not Christians, they feel no obligation to the truth even secular truth. Children of God possess a commitment to both. Only the truth will do any of us any good in eternity (Pr. 23:23; John 8:31-32).