Morality in popular culture

by Editor · May 30, 2001

Popular culture has in past few decades created a mindset that often is at odds with scriptural ethics. The advent of the so-called reality shows such as Big Brother and Survivor, whose values are largely informed by Machiavellian scheming at the expense of human solidarity, marks a new chapter in the progressive separation of Western culture from gospel values.

In that light, the recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Catholic Broadcasting to establish parish-based monitoring groups which would warn fellow Catholics of objectionable material on television, radio and in the press, are a step in the right direction.

It is particularly encouraging that the committee has sought to hand the initiative to the laity in this endeavour.

Nevertheless, there are pitfalls in the proposal (which has been welcomed by the bishops). The subjective elements in identifying offensive material may well create a counterproductive perception of parsimony. To yield any measure of success, objection campaigns must be judiciously conducted.

Making fellow parishioners aware of harmful material (preferably without resorting to a censorship model) is one thing. Protest campaigns, on the other hand, require that targets be wisely chosen. Catholic objections will be of negligible value if monitors shoot arrows in different directions at a flash of nudity or a casual blasphemy on TV. Bombarding the media with outraged letters will ultimately generate one result: the secular media will dismiss such protest as originating from knee-jerking zealots.

Catholic objections, if they are to accomplish anything, must be seen as reasonable and consistent. Perhaps paradoxically, objectors should engage and encourage producers and editors to accommodate Catholic sensibilities (in as far as there is such a discernible trait).

For that reason the bishops would be prudent in considering the establishment of a central body which would monitor the media in particular for deliberate attacks on the Christian faith and Catholic Church, as well as gratuitously violent or sexual programme content and formulate judicious responses, with the input from diocesan groups.

Above all, any form of protest against popular culture must reconcile our obligation to protect Catholic morality with the right of others not to have another group’s value imposed on them.