The national media has been criticised for its "negative (yet another scandal or crisis) or shallow (lacking depth or accuracy)" coverage of religion in this country.
Writing in the current issue of Reality magazine, its editor Father Gerard Moloney said "there is little coverage of the church or church events, and scarcely any that is positive . . . From reading or listening to them (media), one would never suspect that we live in a country where nearly two thirds of the population continue to go to church every week, and where religion is regarded by a majority of people as relevant and a force for good."
It seemed to be taken for granted that religion in Ireland, "or particularly the Roman Catholic version of it" was dying, he said, "it is certainly the impression our national media conveys. It is also one in which many of our opinion makers and commentators seem to delight".
This is because the national media in Ireland is "overwhelmingly liberal" in its tendencies and values, he said. "There is an uncritical acceptance of liberal positions, the sometimes-dubious intellectual basis of which is rarely questioned."
In that context the church was seen "as an obstacle to progress, and perceived as nothing more than an obscurantist, oppressive, patriarchal, anti-democratic institution of power. According to this way of thinking, an Ireland freed of a malign church influence would be a happier, healthier, more tolerant and progressive place". While not everyone in the media held those views, "many do," he said.
The church, he said, "does have the right to be treated seriously, and with the respect that is due an institution that attracts the active allegiance of two out of three people in this country. Perhaps it is time those who control our national media ensured that they are a little more reflective of the sensitivities and beliefs of the majority of the audience for whom they write and to whom they preach."
Writing in Studies magazine Father John Dardis, who ended his term as communications director with the Dublin archdiocese on December 15th, said the church needed "to commit itself to taking an active part in public discourse".
This implied "availability of spokespersons, sending out news releases, arguing your case coherently, submitting your judgments to the test of public opinion . . ."
The church was used to responding slowly to issues and events, after long and careful deliberation. Its leaders were uncomfortable giving off-the-cuff comments or engaging in the rough and tumble of the live chat show or debate, he said. "Yet that is precisely what is demanded", especially in a situation of scandal, he said.
