Engaging News Media
by Mark Kelly
Published by Cowley Publications
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Reviewed by Caron Smith
Subtitle: A Practical Guide for People of Faith
...ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.--John 8:32
The author has a Ph.D in Mass Communications. Over the past twenty-five years he has worked as a news anchor, reporter and documentary writer and producer for numerous broadcast news organizations.
Kelly believes that communicating the truth to a mass audience is a daunting task, complicated by several factors. Many reporters state facts as truth, when in reality they are influencing the public's reactions due to simple hearsay. More often than not, everything we see, hear and read about in the news is not gospel.
Reporters are human with human foibles and their religious, political and psychological viewpoints often color their reports. At the same time, every person's reactions to the news is biased according to the same value system. In accepting or rejecting media reports, beliefs are critical in determining attitudes.
Kelly lists major American news organizations and their owners, categorizing them according to whether or not they are considered to be conservative, moderate, or liberal. He points out that the three major broadcasting networks, ABC, NBC and CBS are all considered to be moderate. This is due to their desire to produce news that will attract the most viewers. However, cable news networks such as CNN and MSNBC are more liberal, attempting to compete for the smaller cable news audience. As of 2005, FOX News, with a clearly conservative slant, has proven to be the most popular among viewers.
News critics blame reporters for neglecting important information that might skew the public's reactions to a particular news story, but they hold the owners of the broadcasting networks solely responsible for delivering the truth.
Kelly suggests that the public approach the media with a prayerful attitude, much the same as biblical scholars bring to the study of sacred texts.
I highly recommend this book for those who seek the truth and do not accept everything they see, hear, or read as factual until proven with certainty to be reality.
Armchair Interviews says: Interesting prospective on today's news.