By Dennis Kellogg,
Director of communications for the Diocese of Lincoln
News can often times be difficult to produce and equally difficult to watch or read. There are those who have written off journalism as biased and prejudiced – not reflective of the reality of what we see and experience in the world.
I spent the past nearly 35 years in broadcast journalism as an anchor, reporter and news manager in local television, radio and digital newsrooms. I also had the privilege of helping to lead several regional professional journalism training organizations. During that time, I never encountered one reporter who intentionally worked to skew the news toward one side or another. Most journalists are in the profession because they want to seek and report the truth. They often put up with long hours, intense deadlines and low pay to do it. All the reporters I know will do whatever it takes to get the story right – to get the truth.
However, we see examples of flawed reporting as we watch, listen and read news stories. Reporters are human and they will make mistakes – good news organizations are transparent when a mistake is made and they correct it. Reporters also bring different perspectives and different life experiences to their work. Research on the number of journalists who are people of faith is scarce, but many in the profession consider that number to be much less than in the general public at large.
When it comes to controversial issues like abortion, one’s background, education, professional training, peers and belief system can all play a part in the lens through which they see an issue. That life prism can impact the way the story is told and the words used to tell the story. Is it a fetus or a child in the womb? Does life begin at conception or some other point of determined viability in the next nine months? Does the issue revolve around a woman’s right to control her body, or a child’s right to live? Words matter.
The Catholic Christian perspective tells us to respect both the woman and the child. In the Bible in Deuteronomy 30:19 we read, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life…” And Jeremiah 1:5 tells us “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” The teaching of the Catholic Church has not wavered through the years: “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. The teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2271).
Yet, when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in June, many reports from national news outlets called it “a major setback for abortion rights,” focusing on the potential loss of a constitutional right for women without ever referencing the rights of the child in the womb. Words matter.
So what are we to do? Stop paying attention to all media news coverage? No, because not all media news coverage comes with a real or perceived bias. But we do need to be smart about how we consume news. The goal of both the media and the news consumer should be the same – the truth. It’s our job – and yes, it can be hard work at times – to seek out the truth and the truth-tellers. Here are the things I would suggest concentrating on to accomplish that:
> Opinion vs. News – Know the difference! If you’re watching primetime cable news, you’re probably getting much more opinion than news. There’s a place for both, but unfortunately many news consumers often treat the two as the same.
> Skepticism – There’s an old saying in journalism, “If your mom tells you she loves you, check it out!” Skepticism can come in handy when watching, listening or reading news. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (1 Kings 3:9a)
> Trusted Sources – Don’t just look for news sources you agree with. Look for ones that strive for the truth. And you can’t judge a news outlet on one story. Make sure they consistently work to provide balanced reporting over time.
> Variety of Sources – Don’t just watch one channel or read one newspaper. Challenge yourself – seek out different sources, even ones you think you may not agree with. Be skeptical and look for the times when the truth is stretched, even when it’s by your favorite news source.
> Balanced Tone – Mature adults can discuss issues without screaming at each other or attacking each other. Is that what you see and hear on your favorite news channel or from the columnist you read? Demand professionalism from those you trust to bring you the news.
> Avoid Information Overload – Are you consuming too much news or news opinion programming? Step. Away. Don’t leave the television turned on to a cable news channel all day long. Shut it off. Read a book. Go for a walk. Give yourself time to enjoy art, nature, and beauty. Those things help you to develop a well-formed perspective on life which can help you then better evaluate the news and the world around you.
> Speak Out – Most local journalists work very hard and strive for truth and fairness. If you see something that’s not right, contact them by email or phone. Be brief. Be fair – let them know what they got right and be polite as you question the part you think is wrong. Don’t rant and don’t lecture. Be kind. But express your thoughts – you have that right. Start with the reporter, but if it’s ongoing and frequent across all their news, speak with a manager.
> Share Your Faith – It’s easy to spend time complaining about the media. You also have a perspective on the issues important to you. Share your faith and beliefs with those around you – family and friends. You’re a trusted source of information for them. Just make sure what you share is factual, so you’re not a source of disinformation.
> Pray – Pray for journalism and for journalists. Pray for them specifically by name, even if you don’t know them. Pray those who you trust to bring you the news are indeed worthy of trust and always focused on seeking the truth.
There are some “experts” the Church has recognized through the years you can call on as you pray. Ask for help and guidance from St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalism; St. Clare of Assisi, the patron saint of television; St. Paul, one of the greatest Christian writers of all time; St. Gabriel, the Archangel, patron saint of messengers, broadcasters, radio and radio workers, and television and television workers; St. Maximillian Kolbe, who published a Catholic newspaper before being executed in the Auschwitz concentration camp; and one of the newest saints to be canonized, St. Titus Brandsma, who opposed mandatory Nazi propaganda in Catholic newspapers and was killed in the Dachau concentration camp in 1942 as a result. He advised Catholic journalists and pushed for better working conditions and professional training for journalists. A number of journalists across the world have petitioned Pope Francis to make St. Brandsma a new patron saint of journalism.
We know as Catholics, we need to be “in the world, not of the world.” Our journey is toward heaven, but the road goes through our neighborhood, town and country. Good fact-based journalism can help us navigate that road. We just need to discern the news we consume to make sure that’s what we’re getting.
