The Media in Matters of Life & Death

The MediaTo K arguments for whether the media should criticise religious opinions.

To reflect on whether there is a bias towards/ against religious opinion in the media.

What is the media’s job? Choose from the list below, ranking in order of importance.

To entertain

1. To challenge society’s views

2. To influence society’s views

3. To be as neutral as possible, include all opinions

4. To reflect society’s views

5. To inform

6. To oppose dangerous or unwelcome opinions

What is the media’s job ?Choose, and rank in order of importance.

Religion in the Media

Why do religions feel they should contribute to public debate?Eg on abortion, euthanasia law?

Should the media be free to criticise religious opinion?

Criticising religion is like criticising God. No-one has the

right and it is blasphemy.

Criticising religion in public will make it

seem that religion is a bad thing and stir up religious hatred against believers.

Criticising religion in

any form is offensive to

religious believers.

As a democratic, free society, we all have the right to decide

about what’s good for our society, which

means debating the worth of religious

opinions.

If religions wants to criticise the

way society does things, it must expect society to argue back.

The Freedom of Expression Act means anyone

must be allowed to say what they

think about religion or its

teachings.Society develops

and becomes more civilised when there is free public debate, for people to decide for themselves. This can’t happen if they are just told what to

do.

Yes

No

• Read the article• Do you think the media is promoting pro-euthanasia

views ?

Give 2 reasons for your opinion.

Explain why someone might disagree with you.

: Biased?

: Biased?

Do you think the media is promoting pro-choice views ? Give 2 reasons for your opinion. Explain why someone might disagree with you.

• NBCs Law & Order has a number of episodes along similar lines, one in which a father murders his daughter’s biology teacher because he’d been teaching her evolution.

• Video Clip.

In November 2007 the CBS drama Cold Case featured a group of Christian teens who stone a girl for having sex.

: Biased?

How could a media bias have a negative effect on the way Christians

are treated/ perceived ?

• Video • Who are Catholic Voices and

what are they trying to do ? • Why is this important ?

1. The media should not criticise religious attitudes to abortion. Do you agree? (3marks) Give reasons why someone might disagree. (3marks)

2. Choose an issue from matters of life and death presented in one form of the media. Explain whether the presentation was fair to religious people (8marks).