The Representation Of Marginalized Groups In Christian Media: Analysis Of LGBTQ+ Content On Christian Television In Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of marginalized groups, specifically LGBTQ+ identities, in Christian television sermons in Ghana, with a focus on PENT-TV, a station owned by the Church of Pentecost. Drawing on qualitative content analysis of sermons broadcast between March and May 2024 and semi-structured interviews with preachers, producers, directors, MCs, and a programme manager, the research explores rhetorical tone, dominant frames, theological justifications, and multimodal strategies employed in religious broadcasting. Findings reveal that explicit references to LGBTQ+ identities were rare, with sermons often substituting direct mention with generalized moral categories such as “immorality” or “ungodly behavior.” When addressed, LGBTQ+ issues were framed within corrective discourses emphasizing repentance, reconciliation, and adherence to biblical morality, reflecting a pastoral yet exclusionary stance. Theological justifications relied heavily on scripture, reinforcing heteronormative ideals, while multimodal strategies such as camera angles, close-ups, and scripture captions amplified moral messages visually and rhetorically. Interviews confirmed that institutional directives and leadership influence shaped programming decisions, prioritizing doctrinal fidelity over inclusivity. The study contributes to representation, framing, and queer theory by demonstrating how silence and avoidance function as framing devices in African Pentecostal contexts. It further highlights implications for media ethics, policy regulation, and advocacy, underscoring the paradox of Christian broadcasting in Ghana as both a universal mission and an exclusionary discourse.