The Spectator is now owned by a Christian. But is this good news?

Sir Paul Marshall, owner of GB News and founder of digital outlet UnHerd, has snapped up the world’s oldest weekly magazine, The Spectator, for £100m.

An outspoken Christian and member of HTB, Sir Paul represents a rare combination of devout Christian with exceeding wealth and influence. Unsurprisingly, this has cast his actions and motivations into the national spotlight.

There have been widespread comments that Sir Paul is bidding to “build an empire of right-wing media outlets” (BBC) or that “his ambition [is] to control a significant swathe of the UK’s conservative and rightwing media outlets.” (The Guardian)

Rev Richard Stainer summed up the feelings of many Christians when he wrote in The Guardian, “I struggle to understand how Sir Paul squares his faith with his enormous personal wealth”. He called on Sir Paul to remember various Bible passages about money, justice and the fruit of our labour.

But perhaps what is forgotten in all of the putting forth of opinion is that other well-known Bible passage, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Only those who know the person behind the mogul will know Sir Paul’s intentions and beliefs and only God knows the depths of his heart. But the question remains as to whether it is good for any individual to wield so much influence.

Opportunity for a Christian voice?

At face value, it is an encouragement that a Christian has such a loud voice on the national stage. Sir Paul’s investments, commentaries and philanthropy - with some noticeable exceptions - mostly speak to a person who is committed to making the world more like the kingdom of the one he serves.

On the other hand, as a hedge fund owner, Sir Paul has the power to influence the stories that his publications publish for personal gain or market manipulation, with the potential to undermine journalistic integrity. This potential for conflict of interest was one of the key reasons previous Spectator chairman Andrew Neil gave for his immediate resignation. We are taught to pray ‘Lead us not into temptation’ and with increased power, the temptation to misuse that influence increases.

With Sir Paul in charge of such prominent publications, his authority and responsibility as an ambassador of Christ increases exponentially

But with increased power also comes increased kingdom possibility; moments to share Bible passages - as Sir Paul has done on numerous occasions - to call for reconciliation, to admonish injustice and to shape our culture into a society more open to hearing the good news of Christ. With Sir Paul in charge of such prominent publications - and with his purchase of The Telegraph Media Group also on the cards - his authority and responsibility as an ambassador of Christ in our nation increases exponentially. The opinions spoken in his publications represent one side of a greater story and it should be cause for celebration that someone of faith is directing part of that story.

The gap

Sir Paul’s rise to media mogul status puts him in the same category as tycoons such as Rupert Murdoch and Sir Jonathan Harmsworth. These three moguls now govern a significant portion of the mainstream content we consume - the majority of it right of centre. Together, these men have significant input in shaping public discourse, especially around politics.

All Christians in media carry a charge to present truth and to recognise that the world God originally designed has fallen into a state that will only be repaired when Christ comes again. So we also have to recognise that there will not be full agreement or ‘one truth’ until that day and we therefore need to find a way to disagree well in the meantime.

The new acquisition to Sir Paul’s expanding media portfolio does highlight the growing gap in faith influence across the political spectrum. There are no equivalent moguls on the left or centre, although there are known publications, which favour a left-wing slant. 

I am certainly not calling for the rise of an opposing media mogul, but I would cautiously encourage the input of Sir Paul as a Christian in a position of influence on one side, while also highlighting the need for ongoing faith input from the other side of the political spectrum. 

My family and I have a heart for hospitality. When sharing food around a table, it is much harder to dismiss a person’s actions or assume their motivations. If Sir Paul were to eat at our tables, would we be curious as to what the Lord has placed on his heart, or would we launch into an attack on him? Would we condemn his influence? Or would we listen to and share food with a brother in Christ, unpacking the complexities of faith together?

Sir Paul’s purchase of The Spectator may be the move of an ambitious mogul attempting to commandeer a huge portion of the UK media landscape. I’ll leave that to God to judge and look on with interest as he outworks his growing responsibility to speak truth to a nation in need of a saviour.