Religion in the media

Sorry to say, but the coverage of religion in the news media is exactly why many prefer getting their information from the Web.

For example, I know almost nothing about Orthodoxy except for what I have learned from you, Rod, and from commenters on your blog. I've also read a few blog posts that you directed me too. I am absolutely certain that your coverage of Orthodoxy is superior to whatever might come in a newspaper.

As another example, one of my favorite blogs is the Internet Monk (www.internetmonk.com). That contains more valuable information about modern evangelicalism, often from an in-house critical perspective, then anything in the MSM. There's simply no reason to turn to a newspaper for religious coverage. I realize you were speaking of local coverage, and I honestly can't even tell you whether my newspaper provides it. I doubt I'd read it if they did.

My local paper ceased publishing. They did have a pastor with a column on Saturdays but alas...

My local paper--The Star Democrat in Easton, MD--has a religion section in the Friday paper. It features Terry Mattingly's weekly column, short meditations from local pastors, and news about local churches. To save the religious section, I'd write a letter to the editor explain how important the religious section is.

There are probably more people in church on a Sunday morning in this country than there are people who attend professional sporting events. Yet heaven forbid anyone suggest getting rid of the sports section.

That's because everybody can afford to go to church if they are interested.

"But religion has not ceased to be critically important to the lives of people today."

It's ceased to be critically important to the lives of journalists, I'm not so sure about people in general.

However I do think some have a point that there's lots of good religious sites on the web and even channels on TV. Religious coverage in the mainstream news often feels like anthropology, "look at these odd people and their colorful robes", which isn't always bad but maybe isn't what religious readers would actually want.

Rod, you can tell your editors, bosses, and corporate masters (if you dare) I've given up on my last two big-time newspapers because of their cuts in covering the arts and religion. Once I found out I can view the daily comics on the web free and in living (such as it is) color, the decision to discontinue my latest subscription was easy. And this, a liberal-leaning organ.

My take is let 'em keep cutting and eventually their newspapers will look like leftovers from a paper doll afternoon. How much can they sell that for?

This is really sad, as so many folks integrate their religious views into everyday life, and religious news often hits the front pages of our nation's papers.

On another (similar) topic, I wish I had a solution to the newspaper industry's demise of late, but I don't. There was a time I wanted to have the stability of a newspaper job instead of having to write books or articles (and all the sporadic income that did/didn't produce). But now I'm thankful for that kind of income.

Somewhere, obviously, advertising figures into all this. I wonder if churches and religious institutions would pay to advertise in order to support at least a page of religious news per week. We have behemoth churches in DFW. I would think this could be a possibility.

Rod,

Saturdays aren't nearly as much fun with no DMN Religion section. The interviews, book and music reviews, and the calendar of upcoming events were essential to planning the following week's activities.

I'm glad I'm not in the newspaper business at this time because of its uncertain future. However, if newspapers continue to cut areas of interest, there will be corresponding cuts in readership.

Do you know if the powers that be at Belo have considered a nominal fee for on-line access? I don't know what a tree subscription costs, but there may be an interest in accounts that offer premium services (like an arts calendar). I know I'd consider subscribing. Just a thought...

considering that my old local paper (Appleton Post-Crescent) had like one column written by two catholics called "the God Squad", which really did nothing but write editorial style pieces for the Church, I wouldn't be surprised if that beat got taken down soon too. To have a religion beat, you need to have something interesting to say, something catchy and dynamic. Unfortunately, communion at the local church just doesn't cut it. Can't say I've read the local paper here in LA, so I can't talk about it, but it seems to me that this is "just business, nothing personal" from the DMN.

Here in Atlanta Faith and Values is now infused in the Living Section of the AJC. As a Christian and a publicist who specializes in promoting Christians I wonder if local media's decision to cut these sections are reflection on our current society, a paradigm shift in what it means to be a Christian or stinking thinking on the part of the Christian business community?

Even when I look at some of the artists I represent and writers I applaud the ones that get the most media attention and the most buzz from the peanut gallery are artists who are shifting from proclaiming their Christianity. They believe that their base would be broader if they move from calling themselves Christian artists to urban inspirational. It leads me to wonder if Christian singers, playwrights, authors, actors are being on the DL about their faith, then why should the media be responsible for singing their praises. Afterall, don't they automatically and voluntarily opt out of being covered by Christian news now?

Moreover I wonder for those artists seeking PR (pr = print media placement, not public relations/marketing support as they should be seeking) realize that their silence bears the fruit of dwindling PR opportunities.

On the other hand, when I share advertising opportunities to Christian biz friends, clients and colleagues they continue to have a "marketing my ministry should be free/if He builds it they will come" mentality. If God called them to write, act, sing, build a church, pastor a congregation then why should they pay to advertise? Why should they pay for praises to be sung? Why should they shout God's message to as many who have ears to hear?