The future of religious broadcasting, a topic that will be discussed at synod in a few weeks time, is something that affects more than just the BBC. Attending “religion in the media” dos it becomes plain that pretty much all religious voices feel poorly represented by what they call the media. I want to take that perception with a huge pinch of salt, because in an open society it isn’t the function of professional journos to represent any religious leader’s point of view accurately so they won’t have to, but to report on what’s going on clearly and accurately. In a media environment with no middle men, religious leaders should learn to speak up clearly for themselves, and take the consequences. They shouldn’t expect the BBC to do this for them, because it can’t and shouldn’t. Yet, the fact that a whole range of religious leaders representing every major tradition in the UK feel chronically misunderstood must mean something. No smoke without fire.
The comments from the atheists/secularists are most interesting. It is clear that many view religion as the silliest form of superstition and not worthy of serious consideration.
Nevertheless the press has an obligation to accurately report facts and what religions say about themselves. They should not be expected to be apologists, but they should be expected to be accurate, something which seems to be in short supply.