wfn.org | KALME: Use Information Responsibly, Media Urged

["Frank Imhoff" <franki@elca.org>]

European Lutheran Minority Churches Communicators Caution against
'Stigmatization'

BRENNA, Poland/GENEVA, 20 September 2001 (LWI) - Participants in a consultation
organized by the Communication Committee for Lutheran Minority Churches in
Europe (KALME) have urged the media to use available information on the recent
terrorist attacks in the United States of America in a responsible manner.

In a statement during the September 14-19 KALME consultation and Assembly, the
50 participants who included media representatives from 22 European Lutheran
churches said there is an "urgent need" for a "thorough analysis of such
information."

The church media representatives urged caution against stigmatization of
religious communities or peoples "through generalizing statements." They called
on Christian media to "continuously keep the focus on reconciliation."

Discussions during the meeting in Brenna were held under the theme "Political
and Social Topics in Christian Media." 

The full text of the KALME statement follows: 

Statement on the Terrorist Attacks in the United States of America 

Brenna, Poland, 18 September 2001 

KALME Calls for Responsible Use of Information 

The Communication Committee for Lutheran Minority Churches in Europe (KALME)
Assembly has followed the events in the United States of America with horror
and expresses its sympathy to all those in mourning. Without doubt, we abhor
terror and violence and cannot condone the taking place of terrorist attacks
and counterattacks.

The assembly calls on the media to use the information available on the attacks
in the US in a responsible way. The media shape emotions worldwide, it is
therefore of importance that media workers recognize this power. The selection
and repetition of emotionally charged images evoke extreme reaction. A thorough
analysis of the impact of such information is urgently needed.

We caution against the disparagement or stigmatization of religious communities
or peoples through generalizing statements. The Christian media are called to
continuously keep the focus on reconciliation.

Recalling the message of Jesus: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit
the earth." (Mt 5:5) we caution against a style of reporting that creates only
feelings of revenge and escalation of calls for retaliation. 

 From September 14 to 19, a KALME media consultation and the KALME Assembly took
and Social Topics in Christian Media." 
place in Brenna, Poland. The KALME includes media representatives from 22
European Lutheran churches. Discussions were held under the theme "Political

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. 
Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now has 133 member churches in 73 
countries representing over 60.5 million of the 64.3 million Lutherans 
worldwide. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common 
interest such as ecumenical relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human 
rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. 
Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.) 

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