DECEPTION OF THE
MEDIA
INTRODUCTION
Deception of the media involves spreading false, distorted, or manipulated information to influence public opinion, gain profit, or shape political narratives. It spans intentional disinformation amplified heavily by digital repetitions, click-driven models, and generative AI (Artificial Intelligence).
Key forms of Media Deception include: Disinformation by giving false or misleading content created and shared on purpose to deceive or cause harm; inaccurate information created or shared on purpose to deceive or cause harm or by people who mistakenly believe it is true; to fabricate or heavily politicize to mimic credible journalism; and to alter photos, or AI-generated designed to distort reality.
Why it spreads is that social media prioritizes high-engagement, emotionally charged, or controversial content over factual accuracy; toward profit or desired gain regardless of the truth; so that people accept information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs and reject opposing facts.
Deception of the Media
Dwarf Acceptance of Truth
Deception of the media is being utilized to dwarf acceptance of truth to enhance a desired slant disguised as the truth. The media can make a person appear as a saint while in fact the exact opposite may be true. One of the things the media does well is to make a minority appear like a majority.
The freedom of the press has been geared towards whatever slant one deems appropriate, utilizing such freedom to dominate and control the mindset of the people. Thank God for truth-bearing media that is still available towards reporting substantial facts rather than that which is based on unidentified sources.
Web of Deceit
Deception of the media can only be recognized through one’s being aware of the truth through those who promulgate the truth. There are many who have been taken in by the mainstream and social media; completely unaware of the web of deceit in which they are feasting on.
The media, in some cases, is being utilized to dominate and control, having arose to a great power, extending its influence by those captivated by its supposed outlet of truth. Deception of the media is as a fine-tuned instrument that has become skilled in deception, addicted to deceit, towards a desired goal. Deception is defined as a misleading falsehood, the act of deceiving, with intention to deceive, and exercise a false representation.
Disguising the Truth
Some disguise the truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment (La Rochefoucauld). Headlines often are purposely misleading to induce a greater clientele to absorb what is being presented as the truth; we now have AI to enhance such a concept as well.
Deception of the media has grown in amazing proportions, in its reporting, often with no concrete evidence to support its accuracy; quoting a leaked source or whistle blower. Later, if that source is proven inaccurate, it is brushed under the carpet, with little or no effort towards retraction.
Enhancing Promotion
Deception of the media utilizes many devices to enhance its desired presentation; including graphics, images which are no longer dependable due to possible alterations, audio and video clips, to name but a few, geared to accomplish the intended slant on what is being presented. It was noted that you can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time (Abraham Lincoln).
Thank God for the factual news media, in lands where available of such has not been curtained or eliminated. It was reported that if the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands, they must be made brighter in our own. If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance, we must provide a safe place for their continuation (Franklin D. Roosevelt).
Withdrawal Firm Foundation
Lands that once enjoyed God’s blessings are witnessing troublesome times; having withdrawn from a firm foundation in God, with one such instance noted: We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. Abraham Lincoln stated: We have forgotten God.
We have forgotten the gracious hand that preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. Have those words been lost in the shuffle of remembrance of the past? Has the deception of the media downplaying the godly enhancement of the past been responsible as well?
Portraying Evil as Good
The Prophet Isaiah cried out: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21).
Has the deception of the media played a significant role in appeasing and justifying the very things Isaiah cried out against? Are we witnessing the crumbling of a society that equates good as evil and evil as good? Has nations previously noted for their allegiance with God; cast aside such making allowance for ungodly venues that an affront and abomination in the sight of God?
Let No Man Deceive You
Apostle Paul wrote: Henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with the wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:14). Let no man deceive you with vain (empty) words; for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children (sons) of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6).
Could such terminology not be applied to the deception of the media; that so readily ensnares one into believing a lie; or half-truth, rather than capitalize on the truth? Apostle Paul gave the reason for not being of such a nature: The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (suppress) the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
Practice to Deceive
What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive (Walter Scott). Thank God for those presenting the truth rather than contriving a lie, or half-truth, but woe to them that are weaving a tangle web of deceit making such believable, and deceiving the people for whatever reason they advocate towards such a goal.
Psalmist David wrote: The words of his mouth (the deceiver) were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords (weapons of destruction) (Psalm 55:21). Scripture reveals: There is a way that seems right to man; but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). The way which seems right may not be the best or righteous way; especially when presented through deception for gain.
Global Conflict
There are those that seek domination who are utilizing the deception of the media to help enhance a desired gain. There is movement towards global conflict as nations line up with evil rather than good, as conveyed by the Prophet Isaiah (previously mentioned).
There is a movement to remove the fires of freedom and civil liberties once known, towards world domination through Socialism and Marxism, cousins to Communism; Critical Race Theory (CRT), the Great Reset Plan, instituted by the World Economic Forum; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transformation; to name but a few, that would upset the normality of life, who benefit from the use of deception of the media as their instrument to accomplish such.
End Times
Jesus described the characteristics of the time leading to end times. He said there would be religious deception, political unrest, disasters, wars, and the persecution of believers in Him. We are witnessing these occurrences almost on a daily basis. Jesus said: Take heed that no man deceive you (Matthew 24:4). Deception of the media, or other means of reporting, downplays the significance of such events which Jesus described as the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8).
Jesus further identified the fact that because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold (Matthew 24:12). We are witnessing such throughout the world due the deception of the media, and the love of many towards ungodly maneuvering rather than looking to the God. Jesus gave assurance to the believers in Him, saying: He that shall endure to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).
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