You should never trust anything reported by the media. Their
You should never trust anything reported by the media. Their first priority is to spread propaganda; their second priority is to make money. They never really care if they tell the truth or not.
Hear the harsh and unsettling cry of Varg Vikernes, who declared: “You should never trust anything reported by the media. Their first priority is to spread propaganda; their second priority is to make money. They never really care if they tell the truth or not.” These words, though born of a voice both controversial and shadowed, strike upon an ancient chord of suspicion: the fear that the messengers of the age are not servants of truth, but merchants of power and profit. His statement carries with it a deep mistrust, and whether one agrees with his extremes or not, the essence of his warning is a timeless one: that the people must guard themselves against deception.
The origin of this sentiment lies not only in Vikernes’ personal battles with public image, but in the wider history of humanity’s struggle with the keepers of information. In every age, those who controlled the narrative controlled the minds of nations. Kings employed heralds, emperors inscribed decrees, priests preached doctrines—all were forms of media, shaping not only what was known but what could be imagined. To doubt the messenger, therefore, is to question power itself. Vikernes gives voice to this ancient skepticism, that the truth is often buried beneath propaganda, sensationalism, and the lure of profit.
History is filled with examples that echo his warning. Consider the days of the Vietnam War, when official reports painted pictures of progress, but the images broadcast of burning villages and body bags revealed another reality. Trust in the media fractured, as people saw how truth could be bent by those who sought to maintain order or sell a story. Likewise, in the fall of the Soviet Union, state-run newspapers and broadcasts were known less for truth than for propaganda, leaving entire generations to sift lies from fragments of reality whispered in secret. In such cases, the people learned the hard lesson Vikernes puts bluntly: trust must be earned, not assumed.
Yet let us also look deeper, for his words are not the final word on wisdom. While it is true that many voices in the media may seek profit or power above truth, not all are corrupt. In every age, there have been brave journalists, scribes, and storytellers who risked their lives to speak honestly—truth-tellers who exposed injustice, unveiled corruption, and gave a voice to the voiceless. Thus, while Vikernes’ declaration warns us of danger, it must not drive us to cynicism so deep that we believe truth cannot be found at all. The challenge is discernment: to know which voices are guided by conscience, and which by greed.
His words, then, are a call to vigilance. Do not swallow blindly what is given to you. Question. Compare. Seek multiple sources. Test words against deeds, and promises against outcomes. Remember always that those who profit from your attention may shape their story to keep it, not to enlighten you. As the ancients weighed gold on scales to know its worth, so too must we weigh every story, every broadcast, every headline, asking: is this truth, or is it bait?
The lesson for us is this: the guardianship of truth is not the sole duty of scribes or journalists, but of every citizen. Each of us must cultivate the discipline to seek truth ourselves, to resist being swayed by the loudest voice or the most dramatic story. We must learn to think, to question, to stand apart from the crowd’s blind acceptance. In this lies our freedom, for those who cannot tell truth from lies are as slaves, bound not by chains of iron but by chains of illusion.
Therefore, remember Vikernes’ warning: “Never trust anything reported by the media”—not as an absolute, but as a command to vigilance. Do not surrender your discernment. Do not give your mind wholly to the merchants of information. Let every report be tested, every voice examined, and let your heart remain anchored in the pursuit of truth. For though lies may be shouted from every tower, the one who listens carefully, questions wisely, and seeks patiently will find the still voice of truth—and in that truth lies true freedom.
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TDtrieu duong
I can understand where Varg Vikernes is coming from, but is it possible that he’s taking a too extreme view? While it’s true that media outlets often prioritize profit over truth, there are also journalists and news sources that are trying to do their best. Is it helpful to completely dismiss the media as unreliable, or is it better to approach it with a more nuanced, critical perspective? Where do we draw the line?
ゆゆうんあーさん
This perspective is pretty alarming, but at the same time, it feels like there’s a kernel of truth in what Vikernes is saying. Media can often feel more like a business than a public service, but how much of that is inherent to the industry? Can media outlets ever be purely objective, or is there always going to be some level of bias or influence? I’m curious if anyone believes there’s a way for the media to be more accountable.
HBLe Hoang Bao
Varg Vikernes seems pretty disillusioned with the media, and honestly, I get it. There's a lot of bias and misinformation out there. But what’s the solution? Should we completely turn away from all mainstream news? How do we distinguish between genuine reporting and propaganda in a world where media manipulation is so pervasive? It feels like the line between truth and fiction is getting harder to find.
UCUyen chi
This quote definitely raises a lot of concerns about the media. While I agree that there are definitely instances where sensationalism and propaganda overshadow the truth, I wonder if it’s fair to paint all media with the same brush. Isn’t there a responsibility for consumers to critically assess what they read and watch? Could it be that media, despite its flaws, still plays a vital role in keeping us informed?
UNNguyen Ngoc Uyen Nhi
Varg Vikernes' view on the media is pretty cynical, but it’s not without merit. There’s no denying that profit and sensationalism often take precedence over truth. However, does this mean all media outlets are untrustworthy? Are there any that genuinely aim to report honestly, or is the media landscape just too corrupted by money to offer any real truth? I’m curious to hear thoughts on whether any trustworthy sources exist.