Fake News and Postmodernism

In the last few months there have been more and more reports of ‘fake news’ stories. These are stories that people share that amount to propaganda as they’re not based on facts. One may say that these could be on par with Elvis sightings, but that is not really fair to Elvis.

Those that take these seriously are concerned that the most recent election was swayed as a result of these ‘fake news’ stories. According to mainstream media outlets like ABC, NBC, CNN, and CBS—the bias found in independent news sites that tend to promote a more conservative view are the perpetrators of these stories. There are at least two levels of irony in the response from these outlets.

First, the claim is that the conservative bias of independent news organizations is responsible for promoting these stories. Those of the mainstream outlets are assumed to be both unbiased and not capable of spreading false stories. This is patently absurd and easily disproven. Bernard Goldberg has chronicled many examples of the liberal bias permeating mainstream organizations and the fake news they’ve created for decades. One example he lists is in the 80s the outlets decided to run stories on all the homeless that look no different than us, but were down on their luck. Goldberg pointed out it didn’t take an investigative journalist to figure out in New York the majority of homeless were alcoholics, druggies, or “were talking to space ships in the sky.” The agenda here was driven by good intentions, but the story was false nonetheless. Conservatives have been aware of these biases and are driven to independent news organizations to help them filter the news.  Either side has the possibility of being duped and producing fake stories. Neither is immune. Independent outlets keep mainstream outlets accountable in that biased stories won’t be unchecked.

Second, the popular maxim of the postmodern is the claim that ‘there is no truth.’ How, we may ask, can these stories be false or fake if there is no truth? The claim that there are ‘fake news’ stories circulating actually presupposes that there is truth. Yet, truth is one of those very things that postmodernism claims to have shown doesn’t exist. One cannot have it both ways. Either there can be fake stories in which case you’ve admitted there are truths that we can discover and prove or disprove, OR there is no truth (per the postmodern relativist) and ‘fake stories’ are impossible by definition. Something can’t be fake if there is no difference between the real and fake.

At the end of the day all people should be concerned with the truth. Propaganda should be exposed and avoided no matter the political persuasion. Debates about what is true are meaningful and should be encouraged. Those that have the truth should defend their position and thoughtful, respectful dialogue ought to ensue.

One can resonate with those that claim that truth is so hard to find in age where there are so many ways that have been developed to deceive. Blaise Pascal seems prophetic when writing, “Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” My admonition to you is, despite the obstacles, you should seek the truth with all your heart. Though it cost all you have, get wisdom and understanding. Solomon shares that in doing this you will find the knowledge of God.