Title: Teleconference to launch NCC media awareness program
Date: February 21, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
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INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- "Family, Community and Media Values," a live teleconference on May 6 originating from Nashville, will launch the National Council of Churches "Media Awareness Year" program.
The national teleconference will examine the impact of pervasive media messages on the changing roles of family and community. A panel of media literacy experts, representatives from faith groups, community leaders and media professionals "will discuss how media influence our lifestyles, with a close look at the relationship between media and two defining issues of our time: consumerism and substance abuse."
The NCC's Media Awareness Year coincides with the publication of three statements developed by its Communication Commission: "Violence in Electronic Media and Film," "The Churches' Role in Media Education and Communication Advocacy" and "Global Communication for Justice."
"Taken together, these three policy statements provide a strong basis for people of faith to understand how they can act in a media culture," said the Rev. David Pomeroy, the NCC's director of electronic media. "The NCC plans to build on the focus of a Media Awareness Year' and especially the kickoff teleconference in May in order to increase that level of understanding."
During the year, the NCC will produce media literacy resources for congregations that will introduce the key concepts of media literacy to homes, schools, congregations and communities. Those concepts include * critical viewing: learning to discern the meanings of media messages * critical analysis: determining the cultural, social, political and economic influences on a media message * creative production skills: producing media that create community, value cultures and respect human dignity * citizenship formation: understanding how the media work in society and taking action to challenge government and industry to do better.
More information about Media Awareness Year or sponsoring a downlink for the teleconference can be obtained by calling Mary Byrne Hoffmann at (914) 358-0624; fax: (914) 358-0679; or e-mail: MBH52@aol.com.
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