The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has publicly condemned a recent news article by Le Parisien, asserting that the publication engaged in unethical reporting practices that mischaracterized the religious organization and its members.
In a detailed statement, church representatives argued that the April 7 article was fundamentally unbalanced, featuring a sensationalist headline of 'They Treated Us Like Animals' and publishing only two lines of the church's comprehensive written response to 12 pre-submitted journalistic questions.
The church specifically challenged the article's portrayal of a photograph depicting a member with feet on a radiator, which was characterized as a form of punishment. Church representatives emphasized that the image was taken before the individual joined the organization and was merely a playful pose, unrelated to any disciplinary action.
Beyond disputing specific claims, the Shincheonji Church raised broader concerns about media representation of religious communities. Church spokespersons warned that biased reporting could potentially lead to stigmatization and prejudice, ultimately threatening religious freedom and human rights.
The statement called for more ethical journalism that presents balanced information and respects diverse perspectives, highlighting the potential societal harm caused by sensationalist media narratives.
