The Media in Matters of Life & Death

The Media To 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.

Choose from the list below, ranking in order of importance. What is the media’s job? Choose from the list below, ranking in order of importance. What is the media’s job ? Choose, and rank in order of importance. To challenge society’s views To influence society’s views To be as neutral as possible, include all opinions To reflect society’s views To inform To oppose dangerous or unwelcome opinions To entertain

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? Yes The Freedom of Expression Act means anyone must be allowed to say what they think about religion or its teachings. No Criticising religion in public will make it seem that religion is a bad thing and stir up religious hatred against believers. Criticising religion is like criticising God. No-one has the right and it is blasphemy. 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. 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. Criticising religion in any form is offensive to religious believers. If religions wants to criticise the way society does things, it must expect society to argue back.

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

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

Who are Catholic Voices and what are they trying to do ? 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 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).