2013 Prayer Calendar - November

November 2013 - Media and Entertainment

(Written by Ian Cooke)

We often complain about the type of programming we get to see through our media outlets, whether it is print, TV, radio or film.

In the US (and similarly here in Australia), the media is 95% owned by a very small number of companies, here in Australia includes News Limited, Fairfax and Telstra

Media ownership & management is about profit, not about ethics or moral/Christian based programming, and the buyers of TV shows, those on live radio, journalists and commissioning editors are all there to sell entertainment to the masses which will provide ratings and produce profit. Even our own ABC has to provide income that will help it pay for itself.

Christians in general over the years have shunned the mainstream media and created a media that is separate to the mainstream TV, radio and film and has created a subculture of Christian Media, which is mainly viewed, read or listened to by fellow Christians. Although important, this subculture has in many ways drawn talented media people away from working & influencing in the mainstream media.

Having said that, there are many people who work in the mainstream who are Christians, but they are mainly people (cameramen, sound recordist's...technical crew) who have little influence on the content and outcome of a program.

We have some great radio stations now in our capital cities that are operating with a mainstream audience and yet retaining a Christian message, and their audiences are growing steadily. These include Hope 103.2 (Sydney) 96.5 (Brisbane) & 89.9 Light FM, as well as the other capital cities. These are all community radio stations.

Other minority groups have successfully used mainstream media for their own purposes, by infiltrating the media and getting people into places of influence.

As Christians working in the media we are now in a position where there are very few who are working in the positions that influence what type of programming is created. We need more people that will be able to influence the media with a Christian influence. Let us pray for these people, both those that are in these positions currently and for Christians to rise up into these positions. It is understood that media programming is a major influence on our culture and how it is affected:

These roles include:

  • Commissioning editors of the ABC & SBS
  • Heads of programming of all TV networks
  • Buyers of TV programs
  • Media owners & CEOs (radio, TV, print & online)...they drive the financial model (including Mark Scott the MD of the ABC)
  • Film/TV distributors plus film & TV producers, directors & writers
  • Live radio presenters/journalists
  • Print and online publishers, editors, journalists & writers
  • Those working in Christian media (Christian radio/TV and print)
  • Educators in media, film, and journalism
  • Film funding bodies (Screen Australia & all state organisations)

These are the key roles that impact on the media here in Australia.

The showing of the "Bible" series proves that if Christians produce programming that is going to get ratings (that series was a huge success in the US), they will commission/purchase and produce such programs, but they need to be creative and carry high production values, as well as entertain the audience to get ratings.

Peak Bodies

There are a number of peak bodies that represent leaders in the media in Australia. These include:

  • AACTA (Australian Academy of cinema, TV & the arts)
  • SPAA (Screen Producers Assoc Australia)
  • AWG (Australian writers Guild)
  • ADG (Australian Directors Guild)

Industry Events

There are a number of events that are held each year that are important in the media which brings together the leaders, and celebrate the industry. These include:

  • AACTA Awards - held in January
  • Logies - awards for TV in Australia
  • SPAA Conference (November)
  • ADG Conference (November)
  • AWG conference
  • Sydney Film festival (June)
  • Melbourne Film Festival
  • AIDC Conference (Australian Independent Documentary Conference)
  • Australian Commercial Radio Awards - National radio awards
  • Walkley Awards - Australian Journalism awards
  • SPARC Awards & Conference (Christian film, TV & Arts organisation)
  • CMA - Christian Media Association

There are other events through the year.

Let us pray for a more moral influence in these awards and conferences including more of a moral base around Christian principles

Goverance and Regulation

Pray for those leading our government funding bodies:

  • Screen Australia
  • Screen NSW
  • Film Victoria
  • ScreenWest
  • SA Film Corporation
  • Screen Queensland
We also need to pray for those in government who decide and oversee the industry at a federal level:
  • ACMA - Aust Communications & Media Authority
  • George Brandis - Federal Arts minister
  • Malcolm Turnbull - Federal Minister Communications

Praying for Media and Entertainment

  • Let us pray for all those Christians that are working in media in this nation in any role that they may be able to reach others in the industry and touch their lives to make a difference.
  • Let us pray for our enemies that they may see the truth and the light, and will create content for all of us
  • Let us also pray for our journalists and writers that God may touch them in many ways

Scriptures

Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many.
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
"You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. [Mark 13:5-11]

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." [Luke 19:37-40]

...some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. [Matthew 28:11-15]

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
[Matthew 5:14-16]

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