Reforming Journalism

by Marvin Olasky

Is there such thing as "Christian" journalism? What would that look like? In this three-part work, editor in chief of World magazine Marvin Olasky (1) lays out foundational principles of journalism, explaining why and how journalism ought to be done, (2) addresses practical, nuts-and-bolts issues such as interviewing subjects, structuring news stories, and responding to complaints, and (3) closes with a historical overview of journalism in the United States. Throughout the book, he points to the example of Christian journalists in China, who courageously continue a nearly three-thousand year history of news reporting in the face of government pressures. You will learn how to be a more discerning reader of news as well as a competent citizen-reporter in your own community.

Genres: Theology, Journalism, Christian, Writing, Business

392 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

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

[Libby Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reforming Journalism provides a well-rounded, biblical perspective on journalism - covering history, practical how-tos, and encouragement for believers going forward in the field today. The historical sweep of journalism from its origins to the present day, particularly following the arc of influence Christianity has had on the craft, was not only fascinating but helpful in understanding how we got to the where we are today. I appreciated the practical insights Olasky shared from the past and his own experience - all through the lens of Scripture - as to how Christian journalists (and corporations) might function in the U.S. and other nations around the world. Even if you aren't into journalism, you might find it worth your time to browse through a few sections. Definitely a resource I plan on coming back to.

[Russell Pulliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin Olasky has written the most important journalism book since he wrote another important journalism history book in 1991.

This new book summarizes the key missing chapter in the history of news coverage. That is just one section, about 100 pages. He also gives useful tips on newswriting and wisdom about current events. He also takes readers behind the scenes as an editor at World magazine.

His has the credentials to back up the ambitious title of this book. He’s already an accomplished pioneer in the modern evangelical Christian movement. He has researched how Christians can fight poverty better than big government liberals. That research, in The Tragedy of American Compassion, gave President George W. Bush an idea that helped him win a close 2000 presidential race. Olasky also has been the primary historian of the pro-life movement. He has done unique research on the important place of Christian faith in American journalism, especially in the 1991 book, Central Ideas in the Development of American Journalism.

In this most recent book, Olasky summarizes his earlier research, revealing the Christian faith and worldview of many journalists of the 18th and 19th centuries.

I should disclose some background here, for readers who might assume I am completely impartial in my partiality toward Olasky’s work. I have known him for 40 years. We have shared a passion to bring Christ’s kingship into news coverage, or to cover the news with Biblical objectivity, or to bring the Bible to bear on the news. So I am partial in favor of the work of Marvin Olasky. Even if I had never met him, though, I would still endorse his history research.

He sees spiritual and small government themes that other historians have missed. Olasky has done the original research and found those strong evangelical and small government theme in news and magazine history, especially in the 19th century.

He also tells a lively story with interesting detail.

Puritan pamphlet writer Alexander Leighton, for example, had his ears cut off and his face branded for criticizing King Charles I in England. It makes for gruesome reading, yes, but the incident helps a reader grasp the suffering of the Puritans in their steps toward a free press ideal.

Coming across the Atlantic to the colonies in the 17th century, Olasky notes the comparative freedom of the press in Puritan Massachusetts as opposed to the greater restrictions in Anglican Virginia. He identifies the famous Puritan pastor Increase Mather as a journalist, through his influential pamphlets. They would be long magazine articles today. Pulpit and press were mixed in those days.

He also tells the John Peter Zenger story of press freedom with an emphasis on Zenger’s Christian worldview and faith, which often are missing in standard journalism history books. Zenger found limits on government from his Bible reading. Zenger was prosecuted for libel by royal governor William Cosby. Zenger’s defense had Biblical appeals, including the fact that the prophet Isaiah also wrote critical commentary of government officials. Zenger also thought government power should be limited because all have sinned and can abuse that power. “Power without control appertains to God alone, and no man ought to be trusted with what no man is equal to,” Zenger said.

Olasky does not contend for the idea that evangelical Christian faith was the unanimous outlook of leaders in colonial America. Yet he has read enough early American newspapers to see how a Christian worldview was very influential in the 18th century press and early 19th century.

He shows how Sam Adams offered a faith-based journalism as a commentator before the War for Independence. Traditional journalism history textbooks seldom note that Adams freely quoted from the scriptures to make his case for freedom.

Olasky recommends Adams as a role model for Christian reporters, including his contention that the sin nature of mankind requires investigative news reporting as a check and balance against potential corruption in government.

Edwin Emery takes a different slant in one of the standard journalism history texts, The Press and America. He credits Adams as an excellent news gatherer and labels him a “great man.” He also calls him a leader of the radicals or patriots, with an interest in social change. Yet he never explains the Christian origins of Adams’ views.

Emery’s own slant against Christian faith comes through in a subtle way in a comment and footnote about the Mather family. Cotton Mather actually was on the side of progress in the journalistic debate over smallpox inoculation, with James Franklin, Ben’s brother, writing in opposition. “The insufferable Mathers discovered the tide of public opinion was strong against them,” Emery writes. Yet they were right about inoculation.

In a footnote Emery explains what made them so obnoxious, almost as a kind of apology for criticizing them. “The Mathers were insufferable in the sense that their righteousness made them too sure of themselves, but this does not detract from their important place in colonial history,” he writes. “The Mathers were prolific writers of considerable merit. They were also outstanding historians. In later life they became more tolerant.” The Mathers no doubt were sure of themselves, in the way they expressed their opinions. But so were almost all the great journalists in Emery’s history.

Boston Recorder Editor Nathaniel Willis loved the spirit of the French Revolution until he heard the Christian gospel and committed his life to Christ. He went on to edit the Recorder with a scriptural emphasis, showing sowing and reaping in some stories and gospel opportunity in others. Willis saw the coverage of news as an opportunity, “to record many signal triumphs of divine grace over the obduracy of the human heart.” He also believed in small government, thinking that the family and church were better equipped to tackle social problems.

George Wisner of the New York Sun offered similar culturally conservative commentary when the Sun had the largest circulation in the nation in the early 1830s. William Leggett of the New York Evening Post (Now owned by Rupert Murdoch) also argued for limited government in this era. He contended that problems would arise whenever “government assumes the functions which belong alone to an overruling Providence, and affects to become the universal dispenser of good and evil.”

Olasky sets the context for this era with some key numbers. Newspapers soared from 359 in 1810 to 1,265 in 1834. Those numbers are trending now in reverse, as newspapers have lost their traditional advertising base. Yet news web sites on the internet keep showing a big public appetite for news.

A key to Olasky’s brilliance is his alertness to worldview, theology and broader philosophical commitments. He identifies a turning point in American journalism history, a shift from a general conservative Christian consensus in many newspapers, around the mid-1800s, as influential editors moved toward an Enlightenment idea that people could figure out their own ways to live without considering the Bible. Editors and reporters moved from a Judeo-Christian set of presuppositions to a more secular view.

Horace Greeley was the most famous advocate of this shift. He’s remembered for saying, “Go West, young man.” He stayed east as editor of the New York Tribune, eventually running for president in 1872. In story presentation and vision for news, Greeley was brilliant. His newspaper was a training ground for excellence in news. A competing editor, E.L. Godkin, noted, “To get admission to the columns of The Tribune almost gave the young writer a patent of literary nobility.”

Unfortunately Greeley had an almost utopian view of mankind and captured the minds of many of his readers. One of the most interesting parts of Olasky’s story is the theological debate between Greeley and Henry Raymond of the New York Courier and Enquirer. Raymond argued for a more traditional Christian view of the sinfulness of people and suggested that Christian faith was the best foundation for true reform. “The principles of all true REFORM come down from Heaven,” he wrote.

Greeley contended for a more optimistic set of assumptions, including the notion that communal living would help alleviate human selfishness.

Raymond had worked under Greeley, and both were outstanding journalists. They printed each other’s commentaries in a kind of Lincoln-Douglas debate format. Raymond contended for limited government and a presumption of the fallen nature of humans. Greeley optimistically thought everyone could get better, with government assistance and an implicit faith in humanity.

Olasky also highlights the Christian faith foundation of other journalists. Abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy was trained at Princeton Theological Seminary when it was a stronghold of Calvinist thinking. He was also ordained as a minister and went on to give his life in defense of a free press, which he used to plead for an end to slavery. Lovejoy was murdered by a mob that threw his press into the Mississippi River.

Cassius Clay of Lexington, Kentucky, also called for abolition of slavery in his newspaper, True American, risking his life and carrying a gun to defend himself. He appealed to the Bible in calling for gradual emancipation. He went on to help start the Republican Party. These editors had flaws and sins, but they looked to a standard and power beyond themselves for salvation and wisdom.

For the history section alone, Olasky’s book would make a great supplemental text in journalism history classes. Terry Mattingly has pioneered in holding current mainstream journalists accountable for missing or mangling faith matters in their stories in his GetReligion blog. Olasky does something similar in recording the Christian influences in American journalism history.

He also offers valuable revision history of the New Deal era, showing how many mainstream media outlets accepted the New Deal uncritically. He shows the lack of impartiality in coverage of the Alger Hiss-Whitaker Chambers battle over communism, contrasting coverage in the conservative Chicago Tribune with the liberal Washington Post.

Olasky also has nine writing suggestions. Some will overlap with other writing coaches, but Olasky adds some wit. “Go on a which hunt by replacing which with that when the clause isn’t set off with a comma.”

A person is who, not that. “Humans deserve the pronoun who.” (page 173)

In other sections Olasky goes behind the scenes of magazine editing, showing the importance of fact-gathering and careful observation, as opposed to pontification. A chapter on reader complaints is one of his best. He offers a key lesson for all editors – be humble. A gentle answer turns away wrath. Editors, online or in print or both, can establish islands of civility in an age of rage and anger. Cranky readers will be thankful and less cranky.

Several other chapters tackle the challenge of faithfulness in a field dominated by anything but the Bible or any appeal to transcendent truths. Olasky’s own story of going from communism to Christian faith gives him a practical edge in a debate with the late atheist Christopher Hitchens. From personal experience, Olasky testifies that secularism, communism and humanism may sound nice, eloquent and humanitarian. But in real life the story turns ugly when Christ is left out of the picture.

A minor weakness is his attempt to counsel those who work in traditional mainstream news outlets, such as the Associated Press, Washington Post or New York Times. As dean of the World Journalism Institute, he has alumni examples, such as Nicole Ault at the Wall Street Journal or Johanna Willett of the Tucson Star, or Paige Winfield Cunningham at the Washington Post or Sarah Einselen at the Gainesville Daily Register.

Or he could point to big league commentators -- Cal Thomas, David Brooks, Ross Douthat, Mike Gerson, Pete Wehner and Jason or Naomi Riley. They look beyond themselves for a standard of truth for public debate.

Instead he winds up offering a television sitcom writer, Dean Batali, as an example of how to be a conservative in liberal circles.

Apart from that lapse in a small section of the book Olasky is a first class historian and journalist. He avoids chronological snobbery and evaluates editors and reporters in the context of their times. He offers a much needed journalism history that is not stuck in left-of-center presuppositions that dominate traditional journalism history texts. The book is must reading for any serious student of journalism.

[Walt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reforming Journalism by Marvin Olasky

(I received a pre-release copy of this book in consideration for an honest and objective review.)

A great deal of attention has been given to the decline of the “Mainstream Media” in recent years, with accusations flying everywhere about biased reporting and made-up stories. Whether in print or on television, the giants of the media are under constant attack, especially through social media on the internet. Where does one turn for the truth?

Marvin Olasky has written what I would consider a concise “how-to” manual for journalists, backed up by a fascinating history of freedom of the press, both here in the U.S. and in China.

The concept of biblical objectivity in the first part of the book describes how journalists should behave in reporting the news. Although I’m not a journalist myself, I can see where this book would be a valuable resource for both experienced journalists and those just starting out. I also believe there are many mid-career professionals who would be inspired by this book.

In part two of the book, he covers the practical aspects of developing a story from initial interviews and research through final publication and response to readers. Throughout he emphasizes the importance of accuracy and biblical objectivity in the development process.

Next he traces freedom of the press as it developed from the Middle Ages to the present. This portion of the book was fascinating in its descriptions of the restrictions placed on journalists throughout the ages and political environments.

Mr. Olasky ends by tying together the concepts of the three preceding sections by demonstrating how the mainstream media has abandoned its biblical roots and become a propaganda tool for whichever philosophy is in power at the time.

As a long-time follower of World, I rely on the high standards of reporting he has described in his book and insists upon from his employees who cover news around the globe. It’s clear from reading this book why Mr. Olasky has a passion to continue to reform journalism and encourage others to do the same.

I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who is concerned about the reliability and accuracy of today’s media, whether or not they are journalists.

[Chris Coppenbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvin Olasky, using his decades of journalistic experience, speaks to us about how best to look at today's journalism. The book is divided into three parts, a brief history of journalism, including it's religious roots, the current state of journalism, and how journalism should be implemented, particularly from a Christian worldview. As editor of World magazine, he is highly qualified to speak on quality Christian journalism. He provides plenty of examples of bad and good journalism from both secular and Christian publications. He also shows how the current secular news media started off with Christian worldviews, but bought into socialist Marxist worldviews starting around the middle of the 19th century. He also compares the state of western journalism to the state of Chinese journalism and the suppression contained therein. Overall, every Christian, interested in journalism or not, should read this book. Incidentally, this book was released in 2019, just before the current "pandemic". Lots of relevant and seemingly prophetic information.

[Paul McDonnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Christian working in journalism, I found this book an inspiration, especially the first part detailing the role our faith can play in the craft. Every Christian who is or aspires to be a journalist should read it. Non-Christian journalists, or anyone interested in the topic, will find value in the history of American journalism, and the role Christianity played in it, that comprises Part III. Young writers seeking to sharpen their skills will appreciate Part II's practical guidance. And Chinese journalists will value the 24-page appendix on journalism in China, not to mention the book's many references to the nation. In short, Reforming Journalism deserves a wide audience, and within the field of Christian journalism may be a game-changer.

[Tim Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

An historical view of journalism, primarily in the US, although the appendix includes a brief recounting of "journalism" in China. Written from a Christian worldview intent on exposing anti-biblical biases and the decline of objective reporting in America. I found the history component educational. The author provides plenty of evidence for the journalistic sins of the present but doesn't make a strong case for how to reform it on a macro level and offers little hope that the erosion of unbiased reporting will abate anytime soon.

[Max Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the beginning of the book a lot! Middle of the book was filled with all sorts of 'tricks of the trade' which didn't interest me. End of the book contained a brief history of christian journalism from the time of the Reformation until now. To be honest, I got kind of bored with the last chapters of the book.

[Hopson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would normally read, but it was given to conference attendees for T4G20. But it was an enjoyable book. I learned a lot about journalism in America, especially what it looks like from a biblical worldview. It’s a lengthy book, so probably not for those who aren’t somewhat interested in the topic.

[Becky Filipek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative book. I especially liked the section about good writing, and the chapters about the history of American journalism. I like Olasky's writing, and I always look forward to his pieces in WORLD Magazine. If you're not already reading WORLD, you're missing out: visit wng.org.

[Lauren Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had thought this one might be boring, but I loved it. Olasky provides a unique approach to the history of journalism by looking at American and Chinese press practices. He also explores how a Christian journalist should approach his work. Inspiring and very interesting.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights in the history, ethics, how, why, and importance of journalism. Recommended for all Christians, not just those interested in journalism. As we all consume media and are surrounded by it, it's important to know how to read responsibly.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvin Olasky, editor in chief of World distills over 30 years of journalistic wisdom.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Olasky defines and defends his conception of Christian journalism and “Biblical Objectivity.” Lots of good history, and also practical advice about the mechanics and craft of journalism.

Why do I have a pit in my stomach? I interviewed Olasky for my podcast today. We spoke for 90 minutes and had a terrific discussion—and my Skype recording software failed.