By Joseph Pham Dinh Ngoc
FAKE news has become a daily threat in today’s digital world. On social media, falsehoods spread faster than facts, and the latest technologies now make lies look frighteningly real.
Deepfake videos and audio generated by artificial intelligence can mimic real people so convincingly that even bishops and priests have been targeted with fabricated statements attacking one another. These manipulations cause confusion and division among the faithful.
The danger goes beyond individual reputations. Fake news undermines trust, destroys relationships, and corrodes the moral fabric of society. The deliberate spread of lies violates the commandment, “You shall not bear false witness.” It insults God, who is Truth, and harms our neighbor.
When dishonesty becomes routine, people lose their moral compass. Compassion weakens, selfishness grows, and society drifts toward hostility and mistrust.
A community that no longer believes in truth cannot sustain justice or peace. Once truth is distorted, values such as fairness, solidarity, and charity quickly collapse. This is why fake news is not simply a nuisance; it is a serious threat to both the Church and society.
Three main actors keep this destructive cycle turning.
Creators of fake news are the root of the problem. They may be individuals or organized groups who fabricate stories to gain money, power, or advantage over opponents. Such deliberate deceit is morally grave. It is not entertainment or harmless exaggeration; it is a conscious violation of God’s law that fuels division and sometimes violence. Unless they repent, these actors drift further from God and community.
Spreaders of fake news are even more numerous. Many do not create lies themselves but amplify them by clicking “share.” Their moral responsibility depends on how much they know. If they realize the information is false yet share it anyway, they become accomplices in deceit. If they fail to verify before forwarding, they are guilty of negligence. Social media users have a clear duty: pause, check, and discern before spreading any claim. Blindly passing along falsehoods only deepens the damage.
Gatekeepers of information — journalists, editors, social media platforms, technology firms, and regulators — play an equally critical role. They are like “watchmen” who can either stop misinformation or allow it to spread unchecked. Their responsibility is to protect the common good by ensuring access to reliable information.
Censorship must never mean silencing legitimate speech, but freedom of expression cannot be a cover for spreading lies that cause harm.
The Church’s teaching is clear: public authorities and institutions have a duty to “safeguard the right to true and just information” (Inter Mirifica, 12). At the same time, believers are urged not to support unethical media and to challenge distortions of the faith.
These three groups are deeply interconnected. When any one of them shirks responsibility, lies gain ground. Each of us must ask honestly: Am I part of the solution, or part of the problem?
Christian ways of engaging with media
For Christians, resisting fake news means living the spirit of Christ in communication: uniting truth with love.
First, we must practice honesty in words and actions. Integrity makes our witness credible. Saying “yes” when we mean yes and “no” when we mean no is simple but powerful. Half-truths, flattery, or hypocrisy only erode trust.
Second, we must cultivate discernment. Not everything online is reliable. Before passing information on, ask: Is this credible? Has it been verified? St. Paul reminds us: “Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess 5:21). Seeking truth honors God and respects others.
Third, communication should always be charitable. Even when correcting errors, tone matters. Christians must avoid harshness or personal attacks. A gentle correction, rooted in respect, is more effective than an angry argument. Before posting or commenting, we should ask: Does this build up or tear down? If our words only feed division, silence may be wiser.
Finally, we are called to build a culture of truth online. The digital world is today’s public square, where Christians can bear witness. Sharing Scripture, uplifting stories, and reliable information can spread hope and create healthier discourse. When we encounter lies, we can respond calmly with accurate sources. Every small act of integrity strengthens the environment around us.
Walking against the tide
The temptation to exaggerate, distort, or indulge in rumor is strong in today’s noisy media landscape. But Christians are called to walk against the tide: to be honest where others deceive, to defend truth when it is inconvenient, and to build communion where division reigns.
Fake news will not disappear overnight. Yet the way we speak, share, and respond each day can either fuel the problem or point toward healing. By choosing truth with charity, Christians help create a digital culture that reflects the God of truth and love. – UCA News
Joseph Pham Dinh Ngoc is a Jesuit priest in Ho Chi Minh City. This commentary, first published in the Vietnamese-language publication https://giaophanlongxuyen.org, was summarized, translated, and edited by UCA News. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.
