In Europe, tradition holds that every realm is comprised of three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. Power typically was held by some combination of the clergy and the nobility, and the commoners often found themselves in the position of having little voice in addressing their concerns or pointing out the problems with the ruling estates.

Enter the press. Comprised of many different forms of mass-communication, the press rose as a fact-finding, editorializing, and message amplifying instrument wielded in many cases by the commoners. As the influence of the press increased, it came to be known as the fourth estate. In many ways, the success of the Protestant Reformation is a tribute to the power of effectively using the fourth estate.

This admirable estate has seen better days, though. It has become overgrown with the ivy and vines of conceit. Its lawn is rarely mowed, and few can tell where its domain begins or ends. Cracks have begun to appear on the walls, and more troublingly, the foundations. The fourth estate is in trouble, and the reason is largely actual and perceived violations of the 9^th commandment.

The press, or the “media,” or the fourth estate is at an all-time low in regard to trustworthiness. It is no longer seen as a tool for speaking truth to power, but as a truly powerful tool that just loves to speak. We hear the promises of fair and balanced reporting, but it is very rare to read or watch media that is not very clearly an agenda hot-dipped in bright graphics, and rolled in biased adjectives.

It is a reflection, not of one political party or another, not of this single worldview or that one, but of an epidemic of truthlessness in the heart of our nation.

That epidemic may be addressed in some way by a brewing lawsuit against over 50 of the nation’s largest news outlets over their coverage of the Covington high school students story. As the legal challenge unfolds (though for obvious reasons it may receive little news coverage), it will be interesting to see just how the issues are framed. The press, it is certain, will argue for a near absolute right to speak whatever they wish. Few would argue with the importance of the media having a right to speak uncomfortable truth to power. But listen to see if anyone clearly focuses on the real issue – does the press have the right to knowingly, maliciously, bear false witness? Do we embrace the fourth estate as a place where truth can be courageously spoken, or do we love it as a vitriolic venting of our base passions?

In short, will the fourth estate wield a sword of truth, or a cutthroat’s dagger?

While the courts and estates of this world wrestle with the 9^th commandment, let those of us who belong to a very different Kingdom hold fast. Like the best the 4^th estate has ever modeled, we should be fearless in speaking the truth to anyone, anywhere, anytime. However, unlike the spirit of our age, we should tremble in fear at the thought of lying. A bold voice is not a virtue in isolation. No, for then we must look to Satan as an example. Instead, we need voices truly emboldened, and beholden to truth.