Church in a spin

Dancing round the maypole

Top Bank Holiday TV programme so far: The Impressionists (BBC something), mainly because it was pure escapism from this wet, cold bank holiday weekend. If you missed it, it was the first part of a series, narrated in the words of Monet, about his life, his friends, and the development of this popular art movement filmed, with little expense spared, on location in Paris, Givernchy etc. Ideal holiday viewing - probably 'cos its full of places we like to go on holiday and the weather in the 1870's was generally good - but why was it holiday viewing. Why are we having another bank holiday two weeks after Easter? This is our newest-I think- introduced by Labour in 1978, and strengthened in its arguments by the lousy weather, the Daily Telegraph is having a predictable go at it today - while conceding that we still are at the bottom of the European league table for bank holidays- Italy has 16, for goodness sake!!


Which brings us to the subject of spin. (It does - just go with me here.) Last Thursday I stood on the south bank of the Thames outside the Ofcom building (its somewhere between London bridge and the Globe Theatre), and, having negotiated security and been asked to avert our eyes while honest workers toiled in front of their TV's perusing controversial episodes of Songs of Praise or Jerry Springer the Opera, we, a party of twenty five church communicators, eventually got down to discussing our trade, for a change from a theogical point of view. And, looking at the question, 'Should the church be involved in spin?' (see last blog) we of course noted that it was the stock in trade of every newspaper and many broadcasters, however much they might fulminate about wicked 'spin doctors' in their columns. Every paper has its worldview, its values, its arguments, and every event, every piece of news is judged and written about from that perspective and for people who share these views and values. It doesn't explain why I get the Guardian, but might explain why others of my family take the Telegraph or indeed the Express. Being shallow, I just enjoy the size and shape and photos in the new Guardian, while not in the least subscribing to its humanistic, utilitarian, new-labourite and God-sceptical viewpoint.

Anyway, yes, the church and spin - well the six groups we divided into to discuss this and other questions (How do we communicate abstract concepts such as love and forgiveness in the black and white world of media certainty? And I want to be proactive but what am I trying to say?) were difficult to stop once they got into their stride. The feedback could have formed the basis of a useful book on the subject, and if my colleagues remember to return their notes, maybe it just might. And it was recognised that once we start writing press releases, or countering misinformation from the media, we are thrust into this media world of spin and opinion and pretty quickly have to be able to learn and understand its language and rules. Those of us who have been journalists or PR professionals in a former life, shouldn't leave our skills at the door. But we need to be rigorous in applying the highest ethical standards to the decisions we make, the conversations we have, the advice we give. Should that poor vicar have been subject to that fly on the wall documentary? Shouldn't we inform the press about that difficult court case which is taking place tomorrow? Should we insist that the local vicar speaks about their village rather than pandering to the media desire for a man in a purple shirt?

There are lots more issues and debates and discussions to be had as we think through some of these issues together - and I'd like to see journalists getting involved too. But, ah, is that a chink of sunlight shining through the clouds?! Maybe its time to break off and enjoy Mayday.

posted by John Carter @ 6:59 am