Mass Media’s Essentials

Most media’s professionals and educators have a responsibility to serve, lead, instill, and demonstrate attributes that uplift and enlighten their respective local, regional, national, and global audiences. What cultures do in “seeding” and “feeding” have consequences, blessings or curses. Are developing cultures’ shortcomings bolstered or hampered by the way the West impact them via magazines, newspapers, books, TV, the Internet and computerized games?

Spirituality: A Necessity

Throughout the ages, such justification has come down from acknowledged beliefs that all things according to the Nicene Creed “seen and unseen” are of Divine origin. This according to Briggs (2003) continues to be the focus on the root of creative genius as expressed in the Christian literature that recognizes us as co-creatures on the planet with God.

Another point has to do with the expressions of prayers concerning “dreams, hopes and aspirations” of mass media’s inventors, executives and journalists (Hughes 1998). Other religious writings showed that whatever is hoped for, striven after and pursued becomes our reality.

Truth in all its dimensions plays a pivotal role. In every expression there are equivalences of “blessings and curses.” It may well be that may have different meanings in some cultures. Who is to say? Or, is it the same “blue print” engraved in all our souls? World religions have some common beliefs.

Mass Media as Instruments for “Seeding”

Whether considering countries or regions of Africa, Asia, or Latin America, the

mass media and spirituality are allies that have significant roles to play in developmental processes. “Seeding” is essential. Christian literature speaks about the “seed of faith.” Entrepreneurs must “seed” abundantly and with confidence.

In November 1945, the United Nations, Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established in London, England. As a specialized agency its purpose was to promote global peace. With UNESCO, international cooperation became a possibility and it was hoped that educational and scientific research would make it possible for the improvement of the standard of life around the world. To what extent was the spiritual consideration with UNESCO? Was this lacking because of a fear of religious fanaticism?

UNESCO’s officials would determine policies (Charter of the United Nations 2004). Since considerations were excluded would these influence their deliberations, if so, to what extent?

Crucial international issues that were affirmed by UNESCO were through some human rights instruments i.e., Articles 1,2,4,6,10,18 & 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These refer especially to:

• Freedom of speech and religion
• Freedom of the press
• The right to vote
• The role of democratic institutions
• The equality of men

Mass Media as Instruments for “Feeding”

Readers, viewers and critics must note the following:

• Mass media’s administrators have to make a commitment to support journalists to pursue stories that which are true, even if such investigations run counter to government’s interests and one’s company.
• Journalists must be able to project themselves as role models for what is good, fair, just, and decent to various audiences and interests. Such attributes would have profound effects on news and other programs on radio, TV, cable and the Internet.
• Media’s enterprises must reflect the diversity of their communities, religious orientations, ethnic composition and gender.
• Mass media’s development must not only be viewed in terms of size and economics, but by commitment to community standards. Media have a responsibility to pursue the spiritual, intellectual and psychological aspects that are important for cultivating an enlightened citizenry.

Journalists like other professionals around the world, must be free to undertake a myriad of stories, investigate hard-hitting pieces on such topics like poverty, famine, drought in Africa and global corporate exploitation. As gatekeepers, it is for journalists to be ethically responsible by discreetly guarding our gates.