The WORD, July 21, 2025 (Publication of Journalists for Christ International Outreach)
There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19
Can journalists and their media houses commit murder without shooting a gun or using any dangerous weapons? Yes, they can!
The pen can indeed be mightier than the sword. The commandment in Exodus 20: 13 is very clear: ‘You shall not commit murder.’ But some journalists and their platforms commit murder when what they write and broadcast lead to death of innocent person(s).
They do when their reports lead to crisis in communities and death of innocent persons. They are guilty of murder in a way – even if not legally.
When journalists join in fanning the embers of hate, the blood of those who die from eventual crisis is on their hands.
Apart from the popular story of how a privately-owned radio station in Rwanda incited violence during the 1994 genocide resulting in over 800,000 people being killed, there have been other instances of media organisations and journalists “shedding blood” in Africa and globally.
After the disputed 2007 presidential election, some media organisations in Kenya were accused of directly or indirectly inciting ethnic violence that led to over hundreds of people being killed, and many displaced.
There have also been killings in Nigeria during some crisis attributed to false media reports and broadcasts like the violence that occurred after the 1983 governorship election in Ondo State.
Truthful, responsible, and peace-sensitive journalism is not just a professional duty but a moral and spiritual responsibility, especially for Christian journalists.
If journalists appreciate that words can literally save lives — or end them, more care would be exercised in deciding what to publish or broadcast. We would be more conflict-sensitive and be more disposed to promoting peace.
More than ever before, due to massive misinformation and disinformation
spread on digital platforms, journalists should abide by the ethics of the profession by verifing facts rigorously, report fairly, responsibly, and equitably.
They should avoid sensationalism and be
peacemakers, promoting calm, truth, and civic education.
As we go about our reporting, we should pray that God would help us never to be guilty of using our reports recklessly.
We should pray that God would deliver us from being channels of hate, division or false accusation that can lead to violence and shedding of innocent blood.
No to hashtagViolence hashtagBloodshed
Let hashtagPeace reign hashtagPeaceJournalism
