Sam Hailes
Christians in Media Conference, 9 October 2026
Sam Hailes, editor of Premier Christianity magazine, delivered a thoughtful address on the challenges of maintaining Christian unity in a world increasingly characterised by disagreement, polarisation and competing opinions.
Drawing upon his experience of editing a magazine that has served the Christian community since 1965, he explored the responsibilities of journalists and editors in representing different viewpoints while remaining faithful to Christian principles.
His central argument was that unity does not require uniformity of opinion. Rather, it depends upon the ability to disagree with humility, integrity, love and mutual respect.
- The media as a mirror and a rudder
Sam introduced an important question in media ethics: should the media act as a mirror, reflecting the opinions and beliefs of its audience, or as a rudder, helping to guide public understanding and opinion?
He suggested that responsible journalism must perform both functions.
As a mirror, the media should accurately represent the diversity of views within society. As a rudder, it must exercise editorial judgement, recognising that not every opinion deserves publication simply because someone happens to hold it.
He acknowledged that his own understanding of this responsibility had developed over the years. Earlier in his career, he had placed considerable emphasis on reflecting the views of his readership. He had subsequently recognised that editorial neutrality, without appropriate judgement, could lead to harmful consequences.
The challenge is to provide a platform for differing opinions without surrendering the responsibility to distinguish between constructive discussion and damaging material.
- Editorial freedom and responsibility
Sam illustrated this dilemma through a personal experience.
Working late one evening, he hurriedly published an opinion article in response to a breaking news story. The piece proved offensive to many readers and attracted widespread criticism.
After consulting colleagues, he recognised that publishing it had been a mistake. He apologised and withdrew the article.
However, this decision produced a second wave of criticism from readers who believed he had capitulated to pressure and should have defended the contributor’s right to express an unpopular opinion.
The experience demonstrated that editorial decisions cannot always satisfy everyone.
He concluded that the responsibility of an editor is not merely to provide a platform for opinions, but to exercise sound judgement about their publication and consequences.
Equally, an editor must avoid using that position simply to promote personal political or theological convictions. There are occasions when a publication must take a principled stand, but such decisions should be carefully considered and capable of explanation.
- Unity does not mean agreement
One of the strongest themes of Sam’s address concerned the distinction between unity and uniformity.
Christian publications inevitably serve readers with differing interpretations of Scripture, political convictions and attitudes towards contemporary social issues.
Sam argued that the purpose of publishing diverse opinions is not necessarily to persuade everyone to adopt the same viewpoint.
Instead, the objective should be to increase understanding.
A reader might finish an article still disagreeing with its conclusions, but with a clearer appreciation of why another Christian holds those beliefs.
Such understanding can reduce hostility and strengthen relationships.
Christian unity is not achieved by eliminating differences, but by recognising that shared faith can be more important than those differences.
- Disagreement as an expression of Christian discipleship
Referring to 1 Peter 3, Sam identified several qualities that should characterise relationships between Christians: sympathy, brotherly love, tenderness and humility.
These virtues are relatively easy to demonstrate when everyone agrees. Their real test comes when individuals hold deeply opposing convictions.
Sam suggested that learning to disagree well is not simply a useful social skill but an essential part of Christian discipleship.
Christians should be willing to challenge falsehood, ask difficult questions and defend their convictions. However, they must also recognise their own fallibility and remember that those with whom they disagree possess equal human dignity.
He recalled Christ’s teaching that his followers would be recognised by their love for one another.
The credibility of Christian witness depends not only upon the truth of what is communicated, but upon the spirit in which it is expressed.
- Social media and the illusion of universal hostility
Sam challenged the widespread assumption that disagreement inevitably produces anger and division.
Social media frequently amplifies confrontation, rewarding provocative statements and emotionally charged exchanges. As a result, people can develop the impression that everyone is permanently engaged in conflict.
His own experience as editor of Premier Christianity suggested a more encouraging reality.
Many readers write to him expressing disagreement with particular articles, yet do so thoughtfully, courteously and with appreciation for the magazine’s willingness to explore difficult subjects.
Such correspondence demonstrates that constructive disagreement is not merely an aspiration. It is already happening.
Sam encouraged his audience to recognise the difference between the often aggressive atmosphere of online exchanges and the more measured conversations possible in everyday life.
He invited delegates to consider the person sitting near them in church on a Sunday morning. That individual might hold very different political or theological views, yet both remain members of the same Christian community.
Personal relationships provide opportunities for understanding that are frequently lost in the confrontational environment of social media.
- The persuasive power of personal character
Towards the conclusion of his address, Sam referred to an interview between Christian academic John Lennox and broadcaster Steven Bartlett.
During their conversation, Bartlett remarked that one of the most compelling aspects of Lennox’s Christian faith was not simply the intellectual arguments he presented.
Rather, it was his evident peace, contentment and respectful attitude towards others.
Bartlett had observed similar qualities in other Christian guests and was struck by the sense of security and inner stability they appeared to possess.
For Sam, this illustrated an important principle of Christian communication.
People do not simply evaluate the words of a speaker. They also observe the speaker’s manner, temperament and treatment of others.
A person may present a logically impressive argument yet undermine its effectiveness through arrogance or hostility. Conversely, humility, kindness and genuine concern can communicate something powerful even when intellectual disagreement remains.
The manner in which truth is communicated can be as influential as the truth itself.
- The responsibility of Christian communicators
Sam concluded by extending these principles beyond the editorial offices of Christian publications.
Journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, public relations professionals and social media contributors all make decisions that influence how other people are represented.
Even those who have little control over the editorial policies of their organisations can exercise personal responsibility.
They can choose whether to represent opponents fairly, whether to ask difficult questions for constructive reasons, and whether to treat those with different convictions as fellow human beings rather than adversaries.
For Christians working in secular media environments, such conduct may provide a particularly meaningful expression of their faith.
The challenge is to pursue truth with intellectual honesty while refusing to allow disagreement to become contempt.
Conclusion – What does one kingdom voice sound like?
Sam’s final message was that the Christian community should not measure its unity by the absence of disagreement.
Differences of opinion are inevitable and, when approached constructively, can enrich understanding.
The essential question is whether Christians can maintain their commitment to one another when those differences become profound.
For those working in the media, this means combining editorial independence with responsibility, conviction with humility, and the pursuit of truth with genuine love.
One kingdom voice is not the sound of everyone expressing identical opinions. It is the sound of people who, despite their disagreements, continue to recognise one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Ultimately, the most convincing expression of Christian faith may lie not in winning arguments, but in demonstrating through everyday conduct the grace, peace and respect that Christianity seeks to proclaim.
