The gospel of newspapers

— Rollie Atkinson
Recent breaking stories involving religion lead us to ask about
the role of newspapers when it comes to covering or participating
in faith-related news or events.
When is someone’s religion a private matter and when does it
become a more public matter? Should newspaper journalists give
religious advice? When considering the issue of separation of
church and state in America, what role should newspapers play?
Over this past holiday season Sonoma County’s administrator
ordered all stars and crosses removed from county government
Christmas trees when atheist Irv Sutley filed a complaint. There
was so much public outcry that the government administrator
reversed his decision and ordered the stars and crosses
replaced.
Last week FOX television journalist Brit Hume publicly suggested
that golfer Tiger Woods convert from Buddhism to Christianity to
find true forgiveness and redemption for cheating on his wife. He
inferred that Buddhism was inferior to Christianity.
Somewhere in these two examples news journalists got it right
and in the other case an ethical barrier was breached.
Following these recent events, we thought it would be a good
time to explain this newspaper’s policies and practices about
covering religion and supporting our local churches and other
philanthropic endeavors.
Freedom of religion and freedom of the press share a most common
foundation: both are protected and guaranteed by our Bill of
Rights. Newspapers should help protect freedom of religion by
reporting on acts of discrimination, harassment of minority
religions or expose government actions that might favor one
religion over another.
Like a fair and democratic government, a newspaper of general
circulation should be a channel of communication for all religions
and should not advocate one religion or denominaton above
another.
In other words, this newspaper is a “nondenominational”
newspaper. We would not do what Brit Hume did. Tiger Woods may be
the most famous person on the planet but his religious beliefs are
his own. It is Woods’ choice to keep his faith and spiritual
beliefs private or not.
Anyway, Tiger Woods is not a local story but our churches,
church leaders, announcements and special events are news stories
we seek to cover and report. Like a good church, we practice an
“open door” editorial policy.
We publish a local church directory each week, listing the
locations, times and subjects of church and religious gatherings.
Many weeks we include a written column or commentary by a local
clergy member. When submitted, we print announcements from churches
about fund raisers, new pastor appointments or expanded facilities
or milestones.
Despite many sensational headlines to the contrary, we remain a
very religious society. The great majority of our readers are
members of an organized church, synagogue or mosque. Others join
together in prayer groups or spiritual circles. And, still others
pray or meditate in a very private manner.
Excluding mention or coverage of religious items would be to
greatly limit our “community journalism” mission. This newspaper
seeks to provide an ongoing journal of the shared life and
experiences we call our community. Going to church every Sunday is
a very big part of many people’s shared life just like school
attendance or public gatherings on our town plaza. Holding a
spiritual belief and practicing a faith is what makes us most
human.
A newspaper’s coverage of local religious activities can help
make this a better place to live and work and raise a family. The
best newspapers are ecumenical, helping people of many faiths to
come together and share as many common beliefs as can be found.
Chief among these for a newspaper are fairness, respect and
compassion for both the most public and the most private
expressions of faith and spirituality.