• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.658-673
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• 2011

This paper examined some problems of media coverage of religion by analyzing a television documentary. The SBS-TV documentary "God's way Man's way" aired in 2008, critically presented the basic Christian doctrine. The producers of the program estimate that protestant churches in Korea have become an established power, which has influence on a societal and political level. Therefore the producers believe that they have the right to criticize that power, especially because its doctrine about salvation leads to serious conflict with other religions, for example, Islam. This program portrayed the doctrine of Jesus as a story borrowed from ancient myths. Consequently, there were harsh protests from the Korean Christian milieu, especially protestants. The author agrees that it is important for the media to critically cover the activities of religious institutions and the behaviors of religious people in the civil society. However, if producers of a documentary want to introduce controversial doctrines of one religion to an audience, they should present the orthodox ones with alternatives or opposing ones, according to the principle of objectivity and fairness of journalism. Since every religion has its mysterious doctrine that cannot be proven by science and reason, journalists should not criticize the sacred part of religion. This paper suggested some ethical points to the media, children of Enlightenment Age, when they cover the religion including its doctrine and mysterious parts.