THE CHAIRMAN INTERACTS WITH JOURNALISTS AND THE MEDIA PERSONNEL

The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and the
President of Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council Apostle Dr. Opoku
Onyinah has once again taken time of his busy schedule to meet with the
journalists and other media personnel at the church’s headquarters in Accra on
Thursday February 2, 2012.

In an address to the journalists, the Chairman based
on Isaiah 52:7-8 to exhort them as he gave the origin of the printing press. To
him, a journalist is a person who writes news stories or articles for a
newspaper or magazine or broadcasts them on radio or television and the media
connotes newspapers, magazines, radio and television considered as a
group. As a member of the National Peace
Council, Apostle Opoku Onyinah’s concern here was for all who are involved in
the Media.

In assessing the importance of the media, the Chairman
reiterated that modern society cannot run away from the media because of their
importance. The media is a tool of communication, used for either good or bad.
He added that the role of psyche in reading, hearing and watching cannot be
grossed over. He said the Media is now
called the king makers in the West. They are used for News, Politics, Entertainment,
Romance, Sports, Music, etc. Media have more influence on society than any person
can have. Many believe and act on what they read, see, or watch. Though many
Christians will not visit theatres or cinemas to watch movies but when it comes
to TV many Christians watch same TV as unbelievers. The moral fabric of society
is eroding because people write more on sex, violence, division, bad news, etc.
The crux of the Chairman’s message to the media personnel has been given below.

THE CHALLENGES OF THE CHRISTIAN JOURNALIST
The Christian journalist in modern times is bewildered
with many challenges. Among these challenges are that good news does not sell;
many people delight in sexual matters and as such writing or talking about it sells. Sexual acts feature in much literature and on
the TV/Drama/Radio. Journalists seem to be attracted to many people because of their
popularity. In view of this, they tend to face lots of temptations. There are
the tendencies for people to bribe them to twist the truth; do things against
their conscience; and sing the voice of their boss instead of their master
Jesus.

WHAT CHRISTIAN JOURNALISTS CAN DO
Accept your job as a call and practise as a
Christian
Make a good choice of what you write
Check the rationale behind your writing or
presentation
Find out the interest of the persons giving you
the story or asking you to make a presentation
Find out if you would be embarrassed when asked
by your pastor, parents or friends about what you said or wrote.
Write to promote Christ and his kingdom
Write or present a programme that will lead to
progress and peace
Be very careful of writing or making a
presentation against the church
Tell your church leaders about your challenges

SIX QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU
Will what you are writing or presenting help
society by leading to progress, peace or liberation?
Does it bring glory to God?
Will it help your Christian life?
Will it enslave you?
Will it strengthen you against temptation or lead
you to it?
Is it the characteristic of God or the world?

WHAT THE CHURCH CAN DO TO HELP THE JOURNALIST
The church is called upon to accept the journalists’
job as important and a call, and then encourage them. Pray with them and get
them involved in church activities and use their talents. The church should not
buy or patronise bad media programmes. The church is encouraged to buy their
literature or patronise their programme.