Thousands of people have watched 'Any Dream Will Do', BBC1's recent hit show, but how many people know that Andrew Graystone first step into the media was singing on the original cast recording of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. After many years working in the BBC, Andrew is now Director of the Churches Media Council.

Christians in the Media: Different?
If you come across a moral and ethical being in the media world, does this indicate that you are dealing with a Christian? In previous conversations, Andrew has highlighted that you can be these things without being a Christian. So, as a Christian in the media, what do you bring to the table that is unique?

Christians: The Fundamental Difference
The only unique aspect for Christians in the media is the Christian story, or metanarrative, which describes the way we see the world. However, we must remember that beyond this we share, and have common ground with, much that non-Christians do. Christian lifestyles and value-sets vary greatly, and none of us "have copyright on the word Christian". We cannot reject other viewpoints, whether Christian or not.

Is 'Religious Broadcasting' a useful genre?
The genre 'religious broadcasting' may disappear, and Andrew considers that this may not be a bad thing, although he's not campaigning to have it removed. As a seperate genre, religious broadcasting can be sidelined, especially when no new inspired ideas appear. By having a specific 'religious broadcasting' genre, which often has a niche audience, it 'lets off the hook' other genres, including news, entertainment, science, history and current affairs, which would reach a wider audience.

Are there conflicts of interest as a Christian in the media?
"Everything I've ever done has been a compromise," although there have been notable pinch points, and sometimes Andrew has had to find a way round something which he could not agree to with integrity. Complete control is impossible, and most difficult are those times when a piece has gone out, with which Andrew does not entirely agree, with his name attached to it. A couple of recent examples from the Heaven and Earth Show were the story of Mark Berry, church-planting in Telford, which was edited in such a way that he appeared a loner on a one-man mission; and the story of a Christian comedy club which was edited so as to appear that Edwina Currie's first comment was 'Nobody will go to that, it's all jokes about churches'. Working in the media, you are never the only person involved, but can make a difference.

In 2027, what will be different?
The future will clearly be:

• Digital
• Interactive
• Commercial
• Individualised
• Scary
• Fragmented, rather than big corporations

In 2027, what will remain the same?
This conference has talked much about what will be different in the future, however there will be some things that remain the same. It will still involve humans, with needs, questions, and a desire for entertainment. There will still be a desire for human contact, as the media will not provide a substitute for this. Much is talked about an increased interest in spirituality, but Andrew does not believe that this has changed, as this desire is inbuilt, but that our current culture feeds it less adequately, and people are more aware of it.

Further Information

• Out there with Andrew Graystone (LICC)
• Thought for the Week (BBC, Manchester, 2006)
• CBC Conference 2006 (You Tube)
• Introducing God (Christians in Media, Sydney)