Blessed are the Truth Tellers

29th May 2020 

ITV News journalist and presenter Julie Etchingham, a practicing Christian, has defended the role played by journalists during the Coronavirus pandemic
 
She told the Christians in Media website, “Reporters are coming in for a lot of flak for the questions they are asking government. But what else are we for? We all get that this is a crisis like no other; that few in government have ever had to navigate such a challenge

“But, if we’re still attempting to function as a democracy in the face of this, then scrutiny is clearly crucial. Many in our frontline services and the wider public are demanding answers. We are there on their behalf. We don’t always get it right. This isn’t a moment to trip people up, but urgently to get to the truth”

As a Christian who has worked in communications for around 50 years, I strongly support Julie Etchingham’s view. Now is the time for truth and accuracy to be at the centre of all our communications

So, yes we need to be praying for and supporting the front-line health service staff, the public health experts, the scientists researching vaccines to combat the virus, and the key workers keeping our societies running

But we also need to be praying for and supporting the men and women working in and with the media to publish, upload, broadcast and distribute the most accurate information, without spin or distortion
So here is a prayer for the media in these challenging days

Loving God,
We pray for everyone working in and with media in these challenging times.
Encourage all who seek to explain and interpret the fast-changing world
around us.
Embolden the truth-tellers, truth-seekers and fact-checkers.
Promote coverage that builds our shared humanity and where everyone has
a voice.
Bring clarity where there is confusion
Bring knowledge where there is speculation
Bring wisdom and insight when the way ahead seems unclear.
And bring us all to a knowledge of truth that sets us free, and helps keep us
safe.
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Amen                                                                        

Parish Pump
 

as published in Great Yarmouth Parish Life

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