Media and Religion

6 December 2009

As part of the wider discussion about the information revolution, quite a bit of attention is being paid to the role of news media.
One of the frustrating aspects of traditional news media is the rule, “If it bleeds it leads.” This translates to mean only bad news gets front page coverage. This makes using media for conflict resolution especially difficult. If spiritual organizations want to weigh in — if they hope to advance their agendas of peace, poverty and hunger abatement, etc. — they must become more media savvy.
It also is important to understand that media comes in several forms, including “news,” “opinion,” and “popular.” When it comes to social networking outlets, these “flavors” get blended in confusing ways, making coherent communication of religious issues all the more challenging.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, the days of traditional communication and learning are rapidly going away and what it means to be a human in modern society will never look the same.
I am not exactly concerned but certainly am very curious about what my friends in traditional religions plan to do about this brave new world.