"In the News" Part 2 - 3/23/23

The speaker discusses journalism in a post-truth world and mentions a conference on the topic. They talk about their own experience as a journalist and the importance of covering religion in the media. They also mention the decline in church attendance but express the belief that the media should still be interested in reporting on it. The speaker concludes with a prayer. So, we were talking about the journalism in a post-truth world. This is something that has gone on from the National Catholic Register. This is the conference that took place at the Museum of the Bible on March 10th. And we were talking about how things have changed over the years between fake news and the truth and all of that. And we were commenting that, Father, you had been a journalist before you were in the priesthood, so you could probably share with us a little bit about, you know, what you were taught in journalism school about how to present the news and how to handle that. I remember at University of Missouri, where I was a grad student getting an MA in journalism, a symposium between the religion department and the journalism department. It was a two-day symposium, and the keynote speakers were – and it was all about, you know, this very subject, cooperation between journalists and religious leaders. And the keynote speakers were Father Andrew Greeley, who – I don't think he had begun – this is – we're talking the 1970s – I don't think he had begun writing his novels yet, the somewhat steamy, romantic novels that he would write. But he was known as a demographer, as a statistician, and studying religious demographics. He had made a name for himself in that area and was a published author. And then the other speakers were Kenneth Woodward, who was the religion editor for Newsweek magazine. And the third one was a prominent sociologist. I do not remember his name. And that was just a very impressive two days. And I would welcome more coverage of religion in the general media. My local newspaper, the local daily newspaper, does have a religion page once a week, which is welcomed with the local news, but also, you know, national and international religious news. A state college newspaper does not, and most papers don't, I don't believe, you know, have a religion. You've got a sports section. You've got recipes. You've got cartoons. But still, a lot of people go to church in this country. There is a drop-off, no doubt about it, in the United States and around the world. But still, church attendance is a prominent phenomenon here. And you would think that the media would be interested in presenting news to their readership and to their listeners and viewers in that area. So, yes, and as a newspaper reporter, I did, you know, cover local churches as well, and I was always happy to do that. And they really ramped up my assignments in the church area once they heard I was going into seminary, which was fine with me. Well, thank you for that perspective, Father. And we're about out of time. If you could give us a prayer to send us on our way, we'd appreciate that, please. Lord God, Heavenly Father, may we rejoice in Easter glory to come. May the power of your Holy Spirit touch us in heart, mind, body, and soul. Keep us always in your love, and may Almighty God bless all of you in the name of the Father and in the honor of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Father.