During the period when Jerusalem had active gates in its walls (2,000 to 3,000 years ago), those gates served as the entry and exit points where people would come and go throughout the day. Those gates became popular social hubs where people could meet, interact, and exchange information. Travelers and merchants brought news from their places of origin or the areas they had recently visited. Given the lack of widespread literacy, oral communication played a crucial role in news dissemination. The “gates” acted as the “watchmen” for society.
With the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, specifically around 1440-1450, there was a significant turning point in how news was spread. The printing press revolutionized the process of producing written material, including books, pamphlets, and newspapers. The printing press contributed to the development of journalism as a profession. The availability of printed news publications led to the emergence of dedicated news organizations and the establishment of newspapers. Journalists could now investigate, report, and analyze news in a more systematic and organized manner, shaping the modern practice of journalism. Newspapers, printed media along with discerning journalists became the new watchmen of our society. Today, printed news is shrinking as a medium, and “Cable News,” electronic transmission of information, is the principal source of news information. Our watchmen became the news anchors and celebrities of radio and television.
(Ezekiel 33:6)1NIV New International Version Translations – “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’”
God has always held the role of watchman in the highest regard. Biblical watchmen served as a nation’s guards. They were responsible for protecting towns and military installations from surprise enemy attacks and other potential dangers. Ancient Israelite cities often stationed watchmen on high walls or in watchtowers. Their job was to keep watch and warn the townspeople of impending threats. The Hebrew word, “tsaphah,” translated means “one who looks out,” “one who spies,” or “one who watches.” Watchmen safeguarded fields and vineyards during harvest time (Isaiah 5:1–2; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1) and acted as sentinels who announced the start of a new day (Psalm 130:6; Isaiah 21:11–12). God’s prophets were spiritual watchmen.
(Ezekiel 33:7-9) – “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”
The question we should all ask is what has happened to the role of the investigative journalist, our watchmen today? Does God still care about what news His people hear? Let’s look at a few trends in today’s media and compare them to God’s Truth on the subject.
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply research a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. Misinformation, on the other hand, is spreading or believing in false or inaccurate information without questioning its validity or seeking reliable sources. “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps (Proverbs 14:15).” This Proverbs highlights the importance of being discerning and thoughtful rather than easily believing everything one hears. Both the journalist and the citizen are held to this standard. God first lays the responsibility at our feet. Not pursuing knowledge is intellectual laziness. To have a lack of curiosity or effort to explore, learn, or research a subject, resulting in superficial knowledge or reliance on assumptions does not fit our biblical standards. “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out (Proverbs 18:15).” When we spread unverified facts, we harm our friends and neighbors. “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:25).” This verse encourages honesty and truthfulness in our interactions with others, implying the importance of avoiding falsehood and deceit.
Today, our society is being taught to dismiss or ignore the opinions, experiences, or expertise of others, leading to a narrow understanding and an inability to learn from different viewpoints. “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice (Proverbs 12:15).” This verse emphasizes the importance of listening to advice and considering the perspectives of others. It contrasts the wisdom of those who are open to input with the foolishness of those who stubbornly believe they are always right.
(Proverbs 18:2) – “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
This verse above highlights the tendency of fools to prioritize expressing their own opinions over seeking understanding. It suggests that a refusal to listen and understand can be a characteristic of folly. This can be seen today using slogans, bigotry, and hatred embedded in our news. Stereotyping holds biased or simplistic views about individuals or groups based on limited or flawed information, leading to generalizations and unfair judgments.
(James 2:1-4) – “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
The verse above from the Book of James highlights the importance of avoiding partiality, unfair judgments, and favoritism. It warns against making distinctions and treating individuals differently based on their external appearances, such as wealth or social status. By doing so, the verse suggests that people engage in unfair judgments and become judges with evil motives. Our correct response should be to treat all individuals with equal respect and dignity, rather than making assumptions or judgments based on limited or superficial information. Whatever happened to people keeping an open mind? Today, our media holds to a rigid mindset and is resistant to new ideas, alternative perspectives, or information that challenges their preconceived notions. “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice (Proverbs 19:20).”
Finally, there is the proverbial resistance to change. This is being resistant to new knowledge or ideas, and clinging to outdated beliefs or traditions despite evidence to the contrary. It can also be the continued references to those facts that have been discredited as false. We see every day how our media publishes outdated beliefs. The role of an investigative journalist is to evaluate and examine everything, holding on to that which is good and true.
(1 Thessalonians 5:21) – “Test everything. Hold on to the good.”
The term “Ignorance” refers to a lack of knowledge, understanding, or awareness about a particular subject or topic. It is the state of being uninformed, uninstructed, or unaware of something. Ignorance manifests in various ways, such as a lack of information, misconceptions, or the absence of critical thinking skills. Society believes that ignorance is a temporary condition, remedied through education, learning, and the acquisition of knowledge. However, it is different from willful or deliberate ignorance, where individuals intentionally choose to ignore or reject information despite the availability of information to the contrary. Today, investigative journalism is dead. Opinion news is alive and well. Fixing journalism will take the re-education of our world in God’s Truths. Restoring today’s media to the role of watchman will require repentance and the forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).”
(Ephesians 4:18) – “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”
Contemplations
- What do you do to assure yourself that the “news” you hear is correct?
- Ideas to Explore: Use multiple and opposing sources. Fact-check yourself. Seek contrary opinions from respected friends? Compare what you hear and see to God’s Truths exposed in His Word.
- History tells us that evil first strikes at the communication systems of a nation. Do you believe that?
- Ideas to Explore: How much do you know about World War II? What about the Vietnam War? Is news biased toward a two-tier justice system? Can you identify things that are true and things that are not true?
- Do you believe that the movement to remove a parent’s rights concerning their children is OK?
- Ideas to Explore: How does something as basic as parental rights slip away from parents? Is it because we elect the wrong people, or has the media misinformed us of the real problem?
- Who are our honest watchmen today?
- Ideas to Explore: What people or groups of people are researching the issues, telling the truth to us?
- Every country that ever went to war had watchmen to tell them why it was time to fight. Every country that ever lost a war, understands why we need honest watchmen. How big do you think the problem is?
- Ideas to Explore: Are you sure you believe the right facts? How are you sure? Does what you believe line up with God’s Truth?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations