Denomination advocates 'empowerment' to deal with media issues

Published: 2005-05-26

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- The Catholic Church isn't the only religious body advocating for greater citizen control of -- and influence over -- the media. The United Church of Christ's Office of Communication has published its own manual to help people grapple with media issues in their own community. Titled "Media Empowerment: A Guide to Understanding Media Power and Organizing for Media Justice in Your Community," the self-described "organizing manual" was co-written by Margot Hardenbaugh of Jesuit-run Fordham University's department of communications and media studies and Saskia Fischer, manager of the United Church of Christ's Media Empowerment Project. Fischer made a presentation on the guide during the National Media Reform Conference, held May 13-15 in St. Louis and attended by 2,500 people. "What is your vision for the role media should play in your community? What could you do in your neighborhood if you had access to the media?" the manual asks.

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