Posted
on
Blog
by
Lyle Shelton
· February 05, 2015 12:00 PM
The Australian Christian Lobby today urged caution concerning calls for Australian trials into mitochondrial replacement, or three-parent babies.
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Posted
on
Blog
by
Wendy Francis
· December 01, 2014 12:00 PM
A Queensland parliamentary committee has opened the door for a proper examination of successful prostitution policy being adopted by countries across the globe.
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Posted
on
Blog
by
Australian Christian Lobby
· June 24, 2014 12:00 PM
John Beckett is the National Director for Micah Challenge Australia. ACL’s Katherine Spackman caught up with him at Parliament House as hundreds of young Christians from across Australia were there to meet politicians and advocate for the global poor. Particularly they were there to shine a light on global tax dodging.
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Posted
on
Blog
· May 08, 2013 10:00 AM
The Internet provides lots of opportunities to speak up and be heard. Social media services like Facebook and Twitter, news websites and blogs are just some places where Christians can have a say.
Many news websites allow readers to post comments at the bottom of a news story.
The media often use these comments to measure public sentiment. They are an important tool for shaping public opinion and the views of opinion makers in the media.
Many media outlets, however, moderate the comments submitted to them online. This means that if a comment does not comply with its guidelines, it is not published.
This can be because the comment attacks someone personally, or it strays from the topic at hand.
So, how can you ensure that your comments are published in news articles?
A few general rules apply:
- Don’t post material that incites hatred or violence
- Don’t attack someone personally; make the comment about the issue/s at hand
- Keep comments relevant
- Avoid ‘SHOUTING’ i.e. don’t write all in CAPS
The Sydney Morning Herald has published some relevant articles that go into detail about commenting on news sites. Use these as guidelines for posting comments on other media outlets too, including blogs and Facebook:
Consider some of the following options to help you make the most of the opportunity to have your voice heard about issues important to Christians today:
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ACL’s Pick of the Day’s news. ACL compiles a daily media monitoring service of stories of interest to the Christian constituency, including on marriage, family, human rights and religious freedom. Use this list to find stories you may wish to comment on. Check the ACL website each morning to access the list.
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Spread the word. Encourage your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to comment on blogs and news sites.
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Post often. Most websites allow you to post multiple comments. Each time you visit a news story, try to leave more than one comment. Check back throughout the day and keep participating in the discussion.
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Create an account. Some websites will only let you comment if you first create an account with a password. To save time, set up an account in advance so you’re ready to participate in the discussion.
Posted
on
Blog
· January 23, 2013 11:00 AM
In the last week, the ACL has been quoted in the media on issues such as video games classification, and proposed new anti-discrimination legislation. See below for links to mentions in the media.
On video games classification:
On anti-discrimination legislation:
Posted
on
Blog
· January 16, 2013 11:00 AM
In the last week, the ACL has been quoted in the media on issues such as not-for-profit (NFP) tax reform, euthanasia, and a proposed new anti-discrimination legislation. See below for links to mentions in the media.
On anti-discrimination legislation:
On NFP reform:
On euthanasia:
- ACL's Nick Overton was interviewed by The Project on Tuesday 15th January on euthanasia. Watch the video online.
Earlier in January, ACL was also mentioned in the media on the issue of classification:
Posted
on
Blog
· January 10, 2013 11:00 AM
MEDIA RELEASE
For release: Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) today concurred with concerns raised by the media companies over the draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill put forward by Attorney General Nicola Roxon, concerns also reflected in its submission.
Managing Director of the ACL, Mr Jim Wallace, said that “while the move to consolidate, clarify, and simplify five different commonwealth laws is welcome, the draft Bill goes well beyond consolidation and would increase the reach of current laws, further impinging on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”
“The joint submission by the media companies has rightly pointed out the increasing reach of this Bill to include conduct that offends or insults,” said Mr Wallace. “In addition to this, unlawful discrimination is defined subjectively as ‘unfavourable treatment’, with the onus of proof on the one who has supposedly offended or insulted while there is no definition of what constitutes “ harassment”, something the draft looks to target.”
“The exposure draft creates too many vulnerabilities for people of faith and faith-based institutions and will need radical redrafting,” said Mr Wallace.
Posted
on
Blog
· December 16, 2012 11:00 AM
As we wrap up this political year we are probably at best deflated by the manner in which politics has been conducted in 2012 and at worst, and perhaps more likely, infuriated and disappointed. The savage attacks on individuals on both sides of the parliament and issues in the public domain seems to have reached a new level inflamed by the anonymity of social media.
Keynote speaker at this year’s ACL National Conference Professor Greg Craven gave words to this widely held frustration as few could in his recent
article in The Australian, and I think we would all agree with his concluding remark “I just want this to stop.”
Posted
on
Blog
· December 04, 2012 11:00 AM
Managing Director of Women's Forum Australia Kristan Dooley spoke to ABC Breakfast show today together with psychologist Louise Adams about the harm that can come from a sexualised media environment for girls.
Women's Forum Australia has begun importing a Lottie doll, as a positive alternative to dolls that have unrealistic body shapes, wear highly sexualised clothing or come with tattoos, fangs and other such things that promote unhealthy and unrealistic lifestyle.
She told ABC that WFA have been inundated with requests for the doll since news spread that it was being imported to Australia.
A 7 minute video interview can be watched
here or by clicking on the picture on the left.
The ACL's Katherine Spackman recently
interviewed Collective Shout's Melinda Liszewski about a list of businesses the organisation is encouraging people not to buy from because the brands have excelled in sexploitation. The organisation has recommended Towards the Stars as a positive alternative and safe haven from the commercialisation and sexualisation of girlhood.
Posted
on
Blog
· November 26, 2012 11:00 AM
Social commentator Mal Fletcher - keynote speaker at this year's Tasmanian ACL conference - has published a new book entitled Fascinating Times: A Social Commentary.
Some of the major issues addressed in this book include:
- The future shape of marriage and the family
- The human impact of new technologies and shifting medical ethics
- The long-term effects of recession
- The future of media and the press, and
- The changing face of consumerism
Widely broadcast and published, Mal Fletcher has researched social trends for two decades and leads the London-based international Think Tank,
2020Plus.
Click
here to find out how you can grab a copy.