Week 10, to KM:

I really appreciated your honesty this week, admitting when the subject matter was uncomfortable for you or when you were ignorant of such situations.

I think the most valuable stuff for our wiki were the issues you raised about jounalism.

You made a good point directing our attentions to cases where journalists may create trouble for the sake of news by hovering around an area waiting for something to happen. I agree that the "journalistic machine" often just runs on its own, without concern for the world within which it is operating. The institutions of journalsim like to imagine themselves being free, objective and unbiased, but just like sub-atomic particles, people and communities are altered when they are observed. The "Free Press" are not free from affecting those they observe and report on. In hopes of getting the "scoop" on their competitors--getting the story first--they mob together, hovering around a person, place or situation, waiting and hoping something will happen. Just look at the circus surrounding the Michael Jackson trial last year!

Those systems and practices within the journalism industry are in serious need of redemption. And not from a much of loud-mouthed "Christians" who will boycott or protest. We need good, solid , Jesus-following journalists to live out alternative values and practices... not only as reporters, but as editors and publishers who can make the calls for reporters to follow this story or that, and can help curb exaggeration and stigmatization. Those strategically placed people will be able to write and publish stories that tell the truth, and stories that expose lies.

Week 10, to Bryan:

Sorry it took me a little longer to get these comments up.

Good work this week. I'm actually glad that you and KM both did work in Weight of the World while I did the culture chapter in Global Tranformations, because that means we got more out of the research this week... hopefully.

I totally agree with what you pulled from the book about the influence of media on public perceptions of gangs and violent behaviors. The glorification in the media can only make the situation on the group for the urban poor (as you shared in your personal story about your friend) harder than it already is to avoid being sucked into the gang lifestyle.

I think that your insights along those lines, as well as what you said about journalistic standards as they apply to how stories get told (in whose words?) and which stories get told, are all good things you should include in the wiki in some way. I also hear what you are saying about how Jesus followers, particularly those who may be listening to what we are saying about media and culture, need to be concernced not only with media and media-related issues, but need to not neglect caring for the poor in real, tanglible ways. We can boycott shows or fight for better standards on TV, but if we don't do anything to help the situation on the group for the urban poor--or any other poor for that matter--it won't count for much more than a hill of beans.