The media is not the enemy

My granddad was one of those strong, thoughtful men, who worked all his life in the timber trade. He wasn’t one for reminiscing, but when he was well into his eighties, I asked him what the greatest change in his lifetime had been. His one-word answer surprised me: TV. Not cars, or the World Wars, or the 40-hour week, or even Velcro.

TV changed our culture immeasurably, truly bringing mass communication into our homes for the first time. It didn’t have the restrictions of the written word or radio. For the first time, we saw history happening before our very eyes.

Perhaps more importantly, TV entertained us. It entered our cultural heritage and, in fact, often became the centre of popular culture. It influenced wider cultural conversations around politics, justice, racism, equality and sexuality. Today, TV, radio, the printed media and the internet have joined together in mass communication.   

Because of that, many Christians developed an ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality, feeling that the media was corroding what became dubbed as ‘traditional family values’. Of course, it’s not that simple. Society has changed—and continues to change—and the media has become a powerful part of that change. Are they leaders, or simply mirrors of our culture? Most likely, a bit of both.

Instead of seeing the media as a threat, perhaps we need to face up to its challenges: are we indeed prejudiced in ways we have been blind to? Perhaps we do need to look at the injustices our own Christian culture has perpetuated? This should only make our faith stronger, more authentic, and more grounded in the all-encompassing love of Christ.

As in all areas of industry, there are those in the media who most certainly feel bitter towards the church—but you will find that in any office around town. There are also those working in the media who love and follow Jesus, and who are trying to bring a piece of God’s Kingdom to their area of influence.

Simon Barnett—co-presenter of MoreFM’s immensely popular breakfast show—is open about his faith, and is an authentic voice for Christianity in New Zealand media. Yet he says the harshest criticism has come from fellow Christians. ‘That hurts to say it, but that’s the truth. It would be much nicer if they just sent a text saying, “Just letting you know, we love listening to you, God’s got your back.” That would make me feel closer to God, rather than pinning me.’

Today, our TV has literally become part of the furniture. We don’t think to pray for the media any more than we think to pray for our local petrol attendant or our coffee guy. Yet the media continues to be arguably the most powerful influence in culture today, and as Simon says, we need to have the back of our brothers and sisters.

Media Prayer Day, organised by the Christian Broadcasting Association, is on 10 August. It’s simply a chance for Christians to come together as individuals and communities of faith, to pray for our media. TV journalist and producer Tim Wilson (pictured) makes the point that he sometimes prays for Kanye West, because ‘I don’t think there are many people praying for him.’

The media is not the enemy. And many of those working in it are fellow followers of Christ. So let us pray … and while we’re at it, why don’t we pray for our coffee guy too?

By Ingrid Barratt

Visit www.mediaprayerday.com to find out more