Posted on 03/03/2010 12:02:12 PM PST by Colofornian
The MMO takes the media pulse in three areas: slimy tabloids intrude into the Osmonds' sacred space in the wake of a tragedy, the media still can't move beyond Mitt Romney's faith, and U.K.'s Guardian takes a jaded view of Mormon-Catholic cooperation.
Intrusion into a family moment
Leave it up to the tabloid press to exploit the Osmonds once again as they reported on the suicide of Marie Osmond's son, Michael. The Mormon Media Observer will not reprint or link to the myriad of tabloid articles filled with speculation and innuendo. Let's just say this, the kind of press coverage the suicide got in the British and American tabloids is journalism (if you can call it that) at its worst. At least, more mainstream newspapers played the story with a bit more respect, but how do journalists balance celebrity without exploiting it for sensational value. I appreciated the Mormon Times post by cousin Don Osmond which gave us insight into this tragedy. A Belief.net blogger also took a much gentler approach.
Media can't move beyond Romney's Mormonism
On Feb. 22, USA Today ran a front-page story about Mitt Romney, "Is it Romney's Time?" The paper points out that the book doesn't "try to explain or defend his Mormon faith, an issue in 2008." It continues: "And the refusal of some to support a Mormon? 'There will always be some who do, and that's unfortunate,' he says. But for most Americans, 'when it comes to voting, and they think about who's going to lead the country, they select the person that they think will do the best job'."
So the question to the reporter is why this even important to the story? Doesn't the media bear some responsibility for making his faith an issue in the public mind?
Scott Hindes of Gig Harbor, Wash., wrote in a letter to USA Today: "If one wants an explanation of the faith, then read the Book of Mormon, and visit Salt Lake City or a house of worship belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since when is religion a requirement or a subject that should be raised as an issue?"
A recent article from Reuters also raises the faith issue this way:
"Romney has been a controversial figure in national politics, in part because of his Mormon faith -- he would be the first Mormon president if elected -- and in part because of his personal fortune, estimated at more than $200 million."
So why does his faith make him controversial? Journalists need to do better than just throwing unsupported terms like "controversial" around.
Catholics and Mormons
The U.K's Guardian newspaper picked up on the story of a U.S. Cardinal speaking at Brigham Young University. Could the columnist, Riazat Butt, be any more skeptical? Here's her take:
"So why the cosying up? There is an increasingly secular mood in the US and religious groups are all too aware of it. The Roman Catholic hierarchy knows it cannot rely solely on its congregations to campaign on touchstone issues and a 'vital bulwark' -- in the shape of the devout, wealthy and organised LDS church -- is just what's needed to help it."
Give me a break.
So, you can continue to bash me all you want if that makes you feel better, like I said before, I just don't care.
well nobody ever said they didn’t make lovely dinner companions. They are very nice people.
Just don’t trust their false religion for your salvation.
You equate the slander of Christ with school yard insults?
I can't even my head around that.
The Oprahization of Christianity moves ever forward...
Got a new one today.
I just said so....
Not defensive...not worth time or energy.
At present, that’s all I want to say. But, you can still be continue to be flabbergasted at my lack of argument in the matter.
LOL!
Bazinga!
One called big hard rocks on his land Ni**er Heads....and never let a jab at blacks go unsaid. He was a mormon bishop. Other than that...he was a "nice and honest" man.
Another actually told me that Christians were overly obsessed with Jesus.....and mocked them. This was a guy that took 120 plus days to pay his debts..and was always ducking and dodging to pay up.
This was in my religious formative years....and most certainly was instructive.
I've other examples...if you would like.
Ok, now that's funny.
Wow, just wow backatcha...half the world thinks you are full of baloney...c’mon ! you have spiritual strength, use it to deflect and work the positive end of your particular interpretation of your faith...magritte
No...I’ve heard more than enough from you.
It's just telling...really.
You've nothing.
Zero, Zip, Nada, Nyet.....
I assume you are not a person of faith then.
With all your arguments and all.....
LOL!
I’ve never seen a mormon thread yet that didn’t go really toxic really quick.
**Media can’t move beyond Romney’s Mormonism**
A lot of people can’t move beyond that either.
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