Name: IAN COOKE
Topic: BUSINESS - MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT
Content:
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:
v Commissioning editors of the ABC & SBS
v Heads of programming of all TV networks
v Buyers of TV programs
v Media owners & CEO’s (radio, TV, print & online)…they drive the financial model (including Mark Scott the MD of the ABC)
v Film/TV distributors plus film & TV producers, directors & writers
v Live radio presenters/journalists
v Print and online publishser, editors, journalists & writers
v Those working in Christian media (Christian radio/TV and print)
v 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.
There are a number of peak bodies that represent leaders in the media in Australia. These include:
v AACTA (Australian Academy of cinema, TV & the arts)
v SPAA (Screen Producers Assoc Australia)
v AWG (Australian writers Guild)
v ADG (Australian Directors Guild)
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:
v AACTA Awards – held in January
v Logies – awards for TV in Australia
v SPAA Conference (November)
v ADG Conference (November)
v AWG conference
v Sydney Film festival (June)
v Melbourne Film Festival
v AIDC Conference (Australian Independent Documentary Conference)
v Australian Commercial Radio Awards - National radio awards
v Walkley Awards - Australian Journalism awards
v SPARC Awards & Conference (Christian film, TV & Arts organisation)
v 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
Let us also pray for those leading our government funding bodies:
v Screen Australia
v Screen NSW
v Film Victoria
v ScreenWest
v SA Film Corporation
v Screen Queensland
Prayer Points:
Let us pray for a more moral influence in these awards and conferences including more of a moral base around Christian principles
Let us also pray for those leading our government funding bodies:
v Screen Australia
v Screen NSW
v Film Victoria
v ScreenWest
v SA Film Corporation
v Screen Queensland
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