Five ways Christians could make 2022 a better year for the media
by Peter Crumpler, Christian Today:
For journalists, the year 2021 was the best of times and the worst of times. The best, because journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov won the globally prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for what the awarding committee described as “their fight for freedom of expression” in the Philippines and Russia.
It was the worst of years because the number of journalists jailed in 2021 reached a record high and many reporters around the world faced threats online and in person.
The US-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists concluded: “It’s been an especially bleak year for defenders of press freedom. The number of reporters jailed for their work hit a new global record of 293, up from 280 in 2020.
“At least 24 journalists were killed because of their coverage so far this year; 18 others died in circumstances too murky to determine whether they were specific targets.”
Detailing the worst offenders, CPJ says: “China remains the world’s worst jailer of journalists for the third year in a row, with 50 behind bars. Myanmar soared to the second slot after the media crackdown that followed its February military coup. Egypt, Vietnam, and Belarus, respectively, rounded out the top five.”
Even in the UK more than a third of female journalists who took part in a government survey about abuse and harassment published last month, said they felt unsafe doing their jobs.
Trade journal, the UK Press Gazette reported: “In total, 80 per cent of the 360 male and female journalists who responded to the survey said they had experienced threats, abuse or violence as a result of their work in the UK.
“This included abuse, intimidation, threats of violence, violence, death threats, bullying, sexism, racism and homophobia.”
Against this background, what can Christians and churches do to support the role of the media in holding those in power to account, giving a voice to those who wider society often overlooks and fighting back against fake news and disinformation?
We also have a role in challenging the media’s reporting where we believe it to be inaccurate or biased.
I have five suggestions:
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