We are currently living in a tech savvy era. This is especially the case in Singapore where owning a handphone is a norm. Information is readily available via email, Whatsapp, Youtube, and many other different social platforms. This could be a good thing. It could also, however, be exploited by criminals to spread rumours, build fake news and to obtain someone’s personal data. Governments around the world haver come to acknowledge the potential problem it could create, and they are coming up with strategies tackle it. We could all see the difficulties in curbing this wave of cyber tsunami during the recent Singapore Fake News Hearing that had just ended. Issues include legislating a balance between gate keeping fake news without impeding freedom of speech and defining what constitutes “truth” or “fake.”
Jesus says: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt 5:37). Christians must not tell lies, not even white lies. When asked for information which the other party does not need to know, we need lie about it. We could simply keep silent or not comment. Pray to God for wisdom to reply for “to humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue” (Proverbs 16:1). Th ninth commandment says: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour” (Exodus 20:16), and Proverbs 12:22 says: “The Lord detest lying lips but delights in people who are trustworthy.” As God’s children, we must not tell lies, make or spread rumours in the hope of hurting someone or gaining profit. I am sure all would agree on this point. But we should also avoid being part of any unintentional gossip group.
Rumours and fake news can spread like wild fire. This is due to the fact that humans tend to have a natural palate for it (Proverbs 18:8: “The words of gossips are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts”). Thus, we should first learn to ask God for help to stay alert against fake news, and to validate their reliability. “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps” (Proverbs 14:15). If the news you receive is fake, do not help in disseminating it, even though it makes a good topic for gossiping. I do agree, however, that some rumours and fake news need to be clarified. In this case, we should stand up to defend bravely the truth.
The spreading of false rumours and fake news is fast becoming a serious issue. Christians as children of light should not be part of its spread, be it intentional or not. Firstly, we should not be the source of these fake news. Additionally, when you receive any form of news today, do not be too quick to share it. Invalidated news is not news you should be disseminating.