In an age of instant information, the line between truth and falsehood is increasingly blurred. A recent controversy surrounding a purported draft executive order allegedly aimed at dismantling the Office of International Religious Freedom exemplifies how easily misinformation can spread—and how difficult truth can be to discern.
Allegations and Denials
On April 20, 2025, the New York Times published a startling report about a draft executive order supposedly outlining dramatic changes to the U.S. State Department, including eliminating the Office of International Religious Freedom. According to the Times, this draft intended to “streamline mission delivery” and project American strength abroad by cutting waste and aligning the Department with an “America First Strategic Doctrine.”
However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio swiftly labeled the document a “hoax,” declaring via his personal X account, “This is fake news. The @nytimes falls victim to another hoax.” The State Department communications office backed Rubio’s claim, explicitly calling the document “a fabrication, not an actual draft executive order,” according to the National Catholic Register.
The Impact of the Alleged Executive Order
Had the document been genuine, the consequences would have been severe. Nina Shea, a prominent human-rights lawyer from the Hudson Institute, expressed alarm over the supposed plan to eliminate the office, stating, “Shutting down the Office of International Religious Freedom would be devastating to the cause of defending against religious persecution abroad” (National Catholic Register).
The Office of International Religious Freedom, established by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act, plays a vital role globally by monitoring religious persecution, advocating for victims, and designating the most egregious offenders as “Countries of Particular Concern.”
Real News or Manipulated Media?
The confusion surrounding this incident underscores a broader issue of credibility and verification in journalism. If indeed the draft executive order was a fabrication, the New York Times’ failure to verify its authenticity before publication raises significant concerns. Trustworthy journalism requires rigorous verification, especially in matters of profound impact like religious freedom.
Yet, in our era of sophisticated misinformation, even declarations of falsity—such as Rubio’s emphatic denial—must be scrutinized. Could the National Catholic Register and the State Department themselves be the ones misled, unintentionally spreading misinformation?
A Call for Heightened Media Vigilance
Regardless of the truth, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for heightened diligence among news organizations. The ease with which potentially false narratives can shape public perception and policy underscores the critical need for news outlets to elevate their standards of source verification and fact-checking.
Conclusion
In the ongoing battle between misinformation and reliable reporting, episodes such as this reinforce the importance of caution and thoroughness in journalism. The protection of religious freedom, a fundamental human right, depends significantly on accurate and truthful reporting. Whether or not the draft executive order was authentic, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in our information ecosystem that must be diligently addressed.
Steve Bowcut is an award-winning journalist. He is an editor and writer for Religious Freedom Under Fire as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on Twitter, Substack, and Facebook.
