The recent disgraceful manoeuvrings of the American presidential election had one good outcome, at least, namely raising awareness of the evil and possible criminal consequences of spreading fake news through social media. There were no "social media" in Jeremiah's time, of course, but what St James calls "sins of the tongue" (James 3:6) and Pope Francis has called the "terrorism of gossip" were just as prevalent in biblical times as they are today. So Jeremiah heard "the whispering of many". Many accused the prophet of foretelling "terror on every side" because he warned that Israel's evil ways would bring much suffering, and so they conspired against him: "Denounce him".

Even the term "fake news" is part of the mind-set of our so-called "post-truth" era, for if something is fake, then it is not news but lies. The promotion and preservation of the truth is so important for a civilized society that God has given us a commandment: "You shall not bear false witness", "You must never lie". Contorting the truth for any purpose whatsoever, especially for any kind of personal gain, separates us from Christ, who declared himself to be the truth incarnate: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6).