Media bias
Incitement to hate, driven by an inflammatory and deceptive anti-cult movement (a movement that is frequently in itself, a front for extremist religious groups) is often presented as 'authoritative opinion' through various media:
- newspaper campaigns, tabloid television masquerading as 'news'
- internet blogs and forums, wikipedia
- misuse of parliamentary privilege to launch a media campaign without fear of defamation
These articles and 'public shows of concern' reveal a deep-rooted bigotry against anything offering balanced, alternative or open-minded views on spirituality. It suggests they see themselves as the only credible source of spiritual understanding – hypocritical when you consider that hatred and bigotry are the opposite of the teachings of most if not all established religions of the world today.
The media hysteria such groups are capable of generating also leads many to seriously question the willingness of media to report accurately and impartially and in the case of editorial, present truly balanced views.
Is it not 'in the public interest' for media to avoid inciting vilification and hatred?
published 4/7/2009