How would the loss of Christian media affect our response to global crises?
WINNIPEG, MB—In Noam Chomsky's famous criticism of mainstream media—Manufacturing Consent—he singles out the faith-based media as a light in the darkness of the broader media landscape. The church, he says, cares about people. The mainstream world does not.
That comment came to mind recently, when I heard something John Longhurst of Canadian Foodgrains Bank said to our own Rob Horsley about the food crisis in the Sahel.
"There's no media attention," Longhurst says, "because the media normally only kicks in when there are graphic and horrific images that come out of these regions. And without the support from the media, it's very difficult for us to get the word out the way we need to about the needs in that part of the world."
Recently, I received word of another Christian publication closing its doors, unable to keep up with the changing face of the media world.
ChristianWeek is a charity and our survival hinges on raising the necessary resources to be able to adapt to and utilize new media avenues.
But what if we were to close?
I called John Longhurst, director of communications, marketing and fundraising at Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In addition, he has made it his life's work to get both mainstream and faith-based media engaged in crucial global issues.
"It's a case of 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone,'" he says. "We take our Christian publications for granted, because we don't fully appreciate the role they play."
The story of international development work is the story of God's Church in action, Longhurst says, pointing out most charities are staffed and supported by people of faith.
All too often, the mainstream media leave out that key component of the story.
"It's not just about putting out a newspaper," he says, "It's trying to make sure Christian perspectives aren't missed or overlooked."
In fact, when we don't see the positive work of the church reflected back to us, we lose the sense that the Canadian church is having much of an impact on our world at all.
"Christians probably have become so used to the fact that groups like World Vision, MCC, and Canadian Baptist Ministries are doing this work that we've taken it for granted. We don't see how remarkable it is. We don't fully appreciate the way the Church in Canada is having an impact around the world."
The Christian media can even have a role in making the mainstream media aware.
"I've found myself saying to a reporter from the mainstream media, 'you should really check out this story in ChristianWeek'… Often ChristianWeek is the only repository of information about a story which can be found on the web."
Online media is especially important, he says, because it provides a vital doorway for the global community to not only find a story, but also pass it on.
"The Christian media always also plays an important role in being a place of reflection. What does this mean? How will this impact us? It is a place where we examine ourselves.
"Christian media is the story of God's people in Canada doing God's work around the world, and sometimes, you're not going to find that story anywhere else."
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