Reclaiming Journalism's Prophetic Voice: Jenny Taylor on the Role of Media in God's Mission

In a time when trust in media is waning, can journalism rediscover its Christian roots and become a beacon for truth and justice? Jenny Taylor reveals how journalism lost its way, how this can happen, and why it matters for God's mission.

Summary:
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, we sit down with Jenny Taylor, a seasoned journalist and author, to explore the profound connections between Christianity and journalism. Jenny shares her journey into the world of journalism, the historical Christian roots of the field, and how believers today can reclaim this vital sphere of influence for the Kingdom of God.

Main Points:
1. Journalism as a Mission Field: Jenny discusses how journalism can be seen as a prophetic mission, delivering God’s truth to the world.
2. Historical Roots of Journalism: Discover the surprising Christian origins of journalism and how it evolved into what it is today.
3. Challenges in Modern Journalism: The conversation delves into the corruption and challenges facing journalism today, and what went wrong.
4. The Church's Role in Media: Jenny emphasizes the need for Christians to reengage with journalism and reclaim it as a tool for truth and justice.
5. Inspiring Stories: Hear powerful accounts of how Jenny used journalism to bring attention to critical issues like the war in Northern Uganda.

After listening, consider how you can support or engage with journalism that aligns with God’s truth. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might be inspired by Jenny’s insights.

Links & Resources:
- Jenny Taylor’s Website: https://jennytaylor.media/
- Lausanne’s Media Engagement Issue Network: https://lausanne.org/network/media-en...
- Jenny Taylor’s Book: Saving Journalism: The Rise, Demise, and Survival of the News - https://pipparannbooks.com/saving-jou...

Guest Bio:
JENNY JAMES TAYLOR specializes in religious literacy and was appointed Research Fellow in Communication, Media and Journalism at the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology in Cambridge in 2019. A Bloomsbury author and campaigner, she pioneered religious literacy in journalism, founding Lapido Media in 2005 as a publicly subscribed online newspaper and publisher. Described by historian Tom Holland as 'groundbreaking', it helped to change the national secular discourse by providing resources for journalists needing to ‘get religion’ in an age of globalization. Widely traveled, Taylor holds a doctorate in religion from the School of Oriental and African Studies and has been published extensively in academic journals as well as mainstream and online media, including The Guardian, The Times, and in translation in the European press. Her books include Faith and Power: Christianity and Islam in ‘Secular’ Britain with Lesslie Newbigin and Lamin Sanneh (SPCK 1998 and Wipf & Stock 2005), and A Wild Constraint (Continuum 2008), an extended essay on contemporary sexuality. Her forthcoming book, Saving Journalism: The Rise, Demise and Survival of the News, is eagerly anticipated. An Associate of the Community of St Mary the Virgin, she lives where she was born, in Suffolk.


00:00 Jenny Taylor
00:36 Introduction and Welcome
01:38 The Role of Journalism in God's Mission
02:40 Jenny's Journey into Journalism
04:16 Historical Roots of Journalism
09:09 Challenges and Corruption in Journalism
14:46 Missional Journalism: Stories from the Field
21:39 Kingdom Impact Through Journalism
22:22 The Power of Naming Jesus in Journalism
23:16 Journalism as a Bridge Builder
23:55 Challenges and Opportunities in Journalism
25:20 A Personal Story of Trust and Control
28:42 The Role of Discernment in Media Consumption
32:36 Introducing 'Saving Journalism'
35:25 The Future of Journalism
40:14 Practical Advice for Aspiring Journalists
42:01 Final Thoughts and Encouragement