THE CHRISTIAN MEDIA AND ITS CRITICISM

Complaints about the Slovak Christian electronic media broadcasts (TV LUX and Radio LUMEN) demonstrate how some of their programs may evoke negative response and disapproval of a part of the public. They will also show which social groups mostly disagree with the Church's point of view. The case studies show how the Council for Broadcasting and Retransmission (CBR) handles these situations. The strongest negative response to some Christian media programs was noted in the area of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersexual (LGBTI) persons. The CBR considered the complaints to be justified because the Christian media presented only a one-sided opinion and did not allow for any opposing views. That was also confirmed in the case of a political journalistic broadcast featuring one-sided opinions of some Christian democratic politicians before the parliamentary elections. Christian media in Slovakia still want to lead their flock, show them the way, which seems to perpetuate the old approach based on dogmas. However, in the current world of media, transparent discussions and persuasive arguments appear to be much more convincing.