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Spreading the Gospel through the Airwaves
Bernadette Kearney, a radio journalist working in the Midlands, shares how her faith informs her work and the importance of Christians working in and cooperating with the media to ensure that the Christian voice is heard
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Once the views and teaching of Christianity were accepted as the norm. Now the Christian view has to fight its corner like all the others. This means that we Catholics need to really understand our faith and be able to articulate it in a way we didn’t have to in the past. If we sit back paganism and other “isms” will take over the airwaves and print medium. In my own experience, however, I am seeing that God is giving new boldness to people to stand up for His truth and to proclaim it. In the Creed at Mass we say “through Him all things are made” so this must include the media too. Pope John Paul II, whilst highlighting the shortcomings of the media (and they are many) has taken care to make us aware of its potential for spreading the gospel. And he wasn’t just referring to religious programmes. Christians Often Believe The Media Is Against Them. This Is Not True I believe the Holy Spirit yearns to be a voice in our media today, but we are His hands and His feet and His voice. So often I host radio phone-ins which require a Christian voice to phone in. It rarely does. Christians often believe the media is against them. This is not true. The media simply requires that Christians display the same robustness and confidence of argument as secular society does. Our views might be ridiculed or dismissed but that’s a risk we take anyway. Look at politicians and they keep going. In my experience, if people present Christian views in a straightforward, even light hearted way, they will receive a fair hearing. As a broadcaster I have never had a problem in getting a strong Christian story or viewpoint accepted for broadcast. The problem is there are not enough Christians working in the media coming forward with such suggestions. The key is always how you present your ideas, and convincing producers and editors that it might be the subject of a lively phone in debate or thought provoking newspaper feature. I’ve done phone-ins on the Harry Potter books and the domestication of the occult, the debate over war with Iraq and on Euthanasia and a host of other issues in which there is space for the Christian voice. Not enough Christians working in the media I was in fact very surprised in the euthanasia debate that even the secular response was encouraging and most people were of the view that “where there is life, there should be hope and we shouldn’t prejudice that.” When I did a programme on Halloween, as well as witches and warlocks, we had a good number of Christians who spoke about the hope of light over darkness and we had Damian Stayne of Cor et Lumen Christi Community on the show telling us about their Night of Light initiative that had taken off all over the world. And this remember is ordinary secular broadcasting not Christian radio. Peace of God can flow beneath surface of any heated debate I have never knowingly been discriminated against for bringing Christ onto the air. Colleagues will sometimes poke fun, sometimes there will be nasty e-mails from the public or atheistic phone-callers will accuse me of being brainwashed because of my beliefs. But this is hardly persecution. If we are not getting any antagonism we’re not doing it right. Phone callers can sometimes be confrontational and even angry and my job is to keep theideas and debate flowing and not allow the tone to get out of hand. I find the peace of God can often flow freely beneath the surface of any heated debate. Media colleagues have always been respectful and even supportive of Christian ideas that I have put forward. If it gets the phone ringing, it’s in. Working in a multi-ethnic country as we do, Christian values of tolerance and respect are always useful in dealing with the huge mix of calls that come in and having strong beliefs yourself doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen to what others have to say. It helps not to take yourself too seriously and to keep a sense of perspective. It’s often the case that debates with a religious theme can get over-heated and lose the thread. Most radio stations will have listeners comprised of all faiths and none, but I have found that the Holy Spirit is the key. I always pray before any programme that I am about to do… I consecrate it to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart and to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sometimes I will fast in advance of a big programme. On the drive to work, I will pray the rosary for the programme and for those who will be listening. I always bless the studio in the few minutes before going on air with Holy Water and sometimes with blessed salt. I’m actually quite amazed that no-one has ever yet said to me “What on earth are you doing Bernadette?”. Then the red light goes on and the microphones go live and I just sit back, relax and enjoy… It’s the best job in the world! PRACTICAL ADVICE 1. The media is more disorganised than you think. Stories can suddenly come up which need an immediate response. All journalists need contacts and sometimes it can be difficult for them to find the right people who can comment on these. Thus parishes could help by identifying suitable people whom the media could call on at short notice to speak about various issues that need a Christian comment. These need to be articulate balanced people who can speak confidently about their subject whether it be contraception in schools, falling church attendance or the morality of the war on Iraq. (editors note: if you are speaking on behalf of the Catholic Church rather than simply expressing a personal point of view on a phone-in, make sure you are properly informed about the Church’s position on the issue and let your bishop and diocesan press officer know what you are doing.) Then it is simply a matter of circulating this contact list to your local newspapers and radio stations and waiting to see what happens. 2. If you are asked to take part in a radio or TV programme. Ask whether you will be up against anyone with an opposite point of view and find out how long the item is. It may be that you only have time to put across point A and possibly point B. Forget points C, D, and E if they will detract from your main argument in a short space of time. 3. If you are the only interviewee, you can assume that this issue is to be given proper consideration. Often it is radio interviews and not television interviews that give enough breathing space and time for the arguments to be put. Expect to be challenged and have your arguments ready. Often the interviewer will adopt an opposing point of view to give you an opportunity to put your case, not because she or he disagrees with you. 4. Offer ideas about what your diocese/parish is doing to your local radio station or local newspaper. They are often only too glad to fill the space… so sell them your idea. Sometimes programme items collapse at the last minute so if you have something ready, they are often interested. 5. Do pray for the media, particularly for those working in it and if you know anybody is going on air. I know when people have been praying for me, I have felt the protection and inspiration this brings. 6. Finally I am only too delighted to offer any advice or help to anyone interested in how we might use the media to further the aims of the gospel. I can be contacted via the Goodnews Office.
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I’ve
worked in the media as a broadcast journalist in radio and TV for
fifteen years now. I realised it was what I wanted to do – speak
out – since I was quite young. Doing live broadcasts can land
you in big trouble, however, if you are not careful, particularly
if you have strong Christian beliefs and have an outspoken nature
like I do.
