Seven steps to better media

By JAMES BREIG- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Simon says: "Take seven giant steps toward controlling the media."

In this case, "Simon" is the American bishops, who recently issued "Renewing the Mind of the Media: A Statement on Overcoming the Exploitation of Sex and Violence in Communications."

In past columns, I have shared some of what the bishops said in their message. This time, I'll present their "seven practical steps" for changing the media. In these steps, the bishops offer ideas for how Catholics can influence what comes into their homes on television, over the radio, through magazines and via the internet.

Find your slot(s) among the following seven categories and do something positive to alter what you hear, see and read:

1. For dioceses: Have a task force, possibly with the diocesan communications office as lead agent, to develop educational programs on the problem of pornography and -- possibly with ecumenical and interfaith participation -- to determine the extent of the problem of the distribution of obscene or indecent material and entertainment in your area.

Share the results with local law-enforcement officials and demand action. Work with the chamber of commerce to create an environment which allows no room in the community for entertainment which exploits sex and violence.

2. For parishes: Develop media discussion groups to enable parents to talk about what is on television or in other media, and to encourage mutual learning and support in guiding their children's media choices. The problems of pornography and graphic violence should be included in homilies on appropriate occasions.

3. For families: Arrange for a monthly or weekly media-free day at home or away from home, so that communication will be mostly among family members. Use this time to talk about the problems addressed in this statement as well as other ways in which the media affect family life, for example, through advertising.

4. For Catholic educators: Develop media discussion groups for teachers and students. Regularly identify everyone's three or four favorite television programs, songs, music videos, magazines, online activities. View or listen to some of these together and discuss what moral messages are coming through.

5. For the media, creative and business communities: Set up dialogues with other interested people, especially parents, to discuss the impact your media productions are having.

6. For government: Reassert regulatory functions which take into account public-interest obligations of various media.

7. For everyone: Develop a list of addresses, phone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses of local media outlets. Ask yourself what media portrayal of sex or violence has most offended you recently, then contact the media outlet responsible to complain.

Alternatively, ask yourself what is the best thing you've seen in the media recently and contact the media outlet with your thanks. Make this a habit. Join media action groups set up by your parish, diocese, or interdenominationally."

So those are the bishops' ideas. What are you going to do about them? If you're interested in joining an organization that addresses the media, here are two to explore:

* Morality in Media, 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10115. Call 212-870-3222.

* Center for Media Literacy, 4727 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010. Call 213-931-4177. Web site: www.medialit.org.

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