Communicators of hope - Journalists For Christ

June 9, 2025
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What role do journalists and other communicators have in communicating hope? This devotional explains.

“But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

— 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

On June 1, the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, marked World Communications Day with the theme: “Share with gentleness, the hope that is in your hearts.”

This year’s theme, according to the letter inviting panelists to the programme, is meant to draw attention to the violence currently prevalent in the media.

“Too often communication is violent, aimed at striking and not at establishing conditions for dialogue. There is, therefore, according to the Pope, the need to disarm communication and cleanse it of aggression, competition, opposition, and domination,” the letter stated.

We live in times that try not only men’s souls, as Thomas Paine said in 1776 during the American Revolution, but also those of women, children, and everyone, with crises of every shade ravaging the world.

Many people today feel so hopeless that they are unsure not only of what the future holds, but even of what the next day may bring, as they struggle to cope with economic, political, and social crises in their countries.

As journalists, while we cannot afford to shy away from reporting the reality of the situations around us, we still have a duty, especially as Christians, to communicate hope and not total despair, knowing that God remains in control, however bad the situation may appear.

How then do we share, with gentleness, the hope that is in our hearts with our audiences, even in times of adversity?

Late Pope Francis offered some guidance in his message for the 59th World Day of Social Communication:

“Christian communication, and indeed all communication, should be steeped in gentleness and closeness — like the talk of companions on the road — similar to that of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, as He walked alongside the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, spoke with them and made their hearts burn within them as He interpreted events in the light of the Scriptures.”

According to him, our communication should be capable of speaking to the heart — arousing not passionate reactions of defensiveness and anger, but attitudes of openness and friendship.

To foster such communication, we are reminded in Scripture:

Colossians 4:6

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

*As journalists, we can choose words that are gracious and constructive, even when reporting hard truths.

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

* In times of apparent despair, our storytelling can focus on what is true and praiseworthy, helping others to see beauty and goodness amidst the gloom.

2 Timothy 1:7

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

* As we uphold the dignity of every person in our reporting, we must reject narratives that trade in fear or illusion. Rather, we should communicate with courage, love, and self-discipline, giving reasons for hope.

If we truly revere Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we will recognize our responsibility to be Communicators of Hope, as God desires us to be.

I pray that God will grant us the grace to be true Communicators of Hope.

I pray that as an ambassador for Christ in the media, you will see beyond the chaos of daily living and bring hope to all those who need it.

May the Lord enable us to use our platforms, words, and stories to inspire hope, foster peace, and affirm the dignity of every person we report about or write for. Amen!

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