Religious intolerance is an enormous world concern that impacts a population of millions of people daily. Yet, the media have a tremendous role either in calling the world’s attention to this issue or ignoring it, thus having dramatic implications on public awareness and response. This article explores how media can be an instrument of increasing debate and, at the same time, ignore the concern of religious intolerance, especially Christian persecution and other minor faiths.
Media Influence in Intensifying Global Awareness about Religious Intolerance
Through persecution reports on a particular religious group, such as Christians in conflict zones, outlets raise public awareness, which in turn prompts international action. Coverage of religious intolerance helps humanize the stories of affected individuals by allowing viewers and readers to relate and empathize. For example, there is the reporting of religious violence in Syria or Myanmar that sparked a public outcry that involved the government or humanitarian bodies to intervene and act. The reporting by media works as a bridge to deliver these stories to the affected community and the global audience; the persecuted religious groups increase their power in influencing change as their stories gain visibility and legitimacy.
Underreported Persecution of Christians by Mainstream Media
One of the most very underreported issues in global media today, though quite significant, is that of persecution of Christians. There are countries where Christians are likely subjected to violence, kept behind bars, or even executed for continuing to espouse their faith. Such ‘news’ rarely, if ever, makes it into mainstream media. Whether it is due to political bias, a lack of public interest, or the focus being placed on other issues around the globe, regardless of the reason, the persecution of Christians certainly has not received the coverage that it should have. It is, by and in large, unnoticed by much of the world because of this lack of reporting. While the media silence accounts for the little awareness existing about the persecution of Christian communities in North Korea, China, and Nigeria, among others, oppressive regimes or violent extremist groups muzzle these communities in those places.
Selective Reporting: What Gets Covered and Why
The forces behind selective reporting on religious intolerance are multi-layered. Sometimes, what gets the most attention can be tied to more than a little political bias. The political interests of the audience or the region are often aligned with news outlets. This ensures that stories that run counter to these interests do not find much space in the media outlets. Economic interests also play a factor in media companies preferring subjects that attract a larger audience and, therefore, underreport less “newsworthy” issues like persecution of religious beliefs. Some locations are easier to access for journalists, so stories end up getting reported in such locations.
Independent Media
While traditional media fails to raise voices on religious intolerance at times, with the emerging trend of independent media and social media, increasingly more seem to be taking over its role. This decentralization of information evident with social media allowing individuals and grassroots organizations to share in real-time reports coming from persecuted areas-gives room for underreported stories, such as religious violence, to reach a global audience. Activists, organizations, and even victims’ voices can now bypass the gates of traditional media and get their stories out through these platforms, such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. While information through social media may often be incomplete or unconfirmed, this cannot disregard the fact that it does expose unnoticed injustices.
The Role of Media in Driving Action
Media should not just report; they should inspire. Bringing religious intolerance stories to mainstream awareness can motivate governments, UN agencies, and relief organizations to act toward curtailing the problem. It is from these media coverages that public pressure may surge, sanctions, diplomatic interventions, or humanitarian efforts towards the religious persecuted group. Also, the donations, volunteer efforts, and total involvement of the public in dealing with the problem of religious intolerance depend on the way the coverage is carried out in the media. In the case where all this steady media attention is lacking, injustice is less likely to be dealt with globally, thereby lasting unchecked.
Conclusion
As a world today connected and dependent, the voice of media on the issue of amplifying or silencing religious intolerance carries a great deal. New avenues for raising consciousness have created independent platforms and social networks, but the mainstream media still has immense influence in shaping global perception. The persecution of Christians, like many more groups of believers, is a very important and underreported issue. Without more balanced and all-round coverage, many silenced communities will continue to remain so.