Prodigal Press: Confronting the Anti-Christian Bias of the American News Media

by Marvin Olasky, Warren Cole Smith

Despite claiming to be neutral, print and TV journalists increasingly report news from an anti-Christian standpoint. Remarkably, however, leading nineteenth-century newspapers reported news from a Christian perspective. This book reveals how the American news media shifted from a Christian worldview to secular humanism, radically altering what the media covers and how it is reported.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Journalism

368 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1988

About the author

Marvin Olasky is a senior fellow of the Discovery Institute and an affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute. He also chairs the Zenger House Foundation, serves as a Zenger Prize judge, and is the author of 29 books. From 1992 through 2021, he edited World.

Reviews

[booklady]

This book was first published in 1988. The authors thought the 25th anniversary of the original publication date was a good time to update their findings and re-release the book. Here is a very informative interview with Warren Cole Smith, the co-author.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Roger Leonhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, it is almost heartbreaking to turn on the news. It seems that everything I was taught as a child is flipped upside down. To be a Christian is labeled as bigoted and hateful. Much of what was taught as evil has now been trumpeted as virtuous. To believe in one God is considered intolerant and arrogant. we are told every belief has the same validity.

Everything from marriage to murder of unborn children has now become a hot button issue that can get you fired from your job, sued, or in some cases even arrested.

In this book Olasky and Smith give us an overview of the situation in today's society. They start with a history of news media and how it was originally dominated by Christians. It was slowly taken over by those who do not just take an approach between Christianity and secularism, but are actually hostel to Christianity.

Even though this is a book about the takeover of the media by unbelievers, the authors do not leave us in despair. Here we have details on how Christians can not only work in the news media, but make an impact.

I have read a few books on the bias of the press, but this one was a little different. The authors have not only shown media bias but they take us through the history of how that bias came about.

They not only delve into the message of the media but also the medium that is used to relay that message. This sets the book apart from others. How has new technology changed the way we understand the world? What difference has the Internet, smart phones, and television made on the news? These are things we rarely think about, but are relevant in how we see the world.

I enjoyed this read. It is interesting and full of information that you would be hard-pressed to find in other Christian books. I felt like I learned a great deal of info. My suggestion is to leave your comfort zone and read this book!

I recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book, free of charge, from P&R Publishing Company and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Intended to skim, but the details were too interesting. Helpful perspective on bias, both legitimate and illegitimate. Good section on sensationalism too.

[Nate Bate · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of grumbling about the American News Media and their bias. Prodigal Press helps us go deeper than what it seems like and feels like to us. Marvin Olasky and Warren Cole Smith systematically step us through the historical path the press has taken. It is well documented, and it brings the same quality of content that we are used to with World Magazine.

[AnnaRose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olasky covers the history of Christian and secular journalism while adding his thoughts on how Christians should view the media and interact with it. Although he makes some good points and interesting suggestions, he is far too inclined to go off on rants about silly issues such as public schools. His points of view were very strong and he left no room for anyone doubting him. Everyone was against him or must agree completely. Still, this book was educational and though-provoking.

[Sheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love all the historical stuff. It's fascinating to see how journalists have seen themselves and their craft over the years.