Discerning the future of Catholic news

Now would be a good time to subscribe to the B.C. Catholic and any other Catholic media you enjoy. Without trying to be alarmist, it’s not entirely clear if a year from now Catholic news will be as accessible as it currently is.

Lately we’ve published stories about a project by The B.C. Catholic and the Catholic Register to relaunch Canadian Catholic News as a vital news source. Although Canadian Catholic News has been around for decades, we are taking it to the next level. Our website is live, we’re gathering new members, and our second cohort of journalism students tunes in every Tuesday night to take part in our 12-week course on ethical journalism. (See the letter below from an appreciative student.)

The course and the website couldn’t come at a timelier moment. Sweeping efforts to restrict speech are ramping up around the world. In the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel, the European Union is warning X owner Elon Musk against allowing “disinformation” on the platform. This is after the EU passed the Digital Services Act, allowing it to control content on websites. The U.K. has its own Online Safety Bill to regulate content, while Australia is working on a bill to combat misinformation and disinformation.

In Canada, the government’s Online News Act, Bill C-18, has led to more harm than anyone can properly document. Facebook has pulled out of offering news, and Google says it’s going to follow. Rather than helping the legacy news industry, as the government claimed the legislation was intended, the media are in worse shape than ever, with layoffs and newspapers closing.

All of this takes place when social pressures to curb free speech keep growing. Several weeks ago, the Million March for Children saw thousands of people gather in Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Vancouver. They were overwhelmingly non-white, non-confrontational and non-political. At each rally, Muslims, individuals wearing turbans, and families with children mingled with each other. They chatted with each other, with the police, and at times with the counter-protesters. Their signs were about protecting children from gender propaganda in school. Their common message was that things had gone too far.

What news coverage there was of the national march was singularly hostile. Social media described the parents as racists and haters. Masked counter-protesters received glowing coverage.

There’s no need to list the countless other issues that are no longer allowed to free debate. But one that’s especially close to home is the Canadian government’s suggestion that it’s ready to crack down on “residential school denialism.” In June, Kimberly Murray, special adviser to Justice Minister David Lametti, called for legislation criminalizing so-called “denialism” of grave sites, missing children, and residential schools as genocide. A Senate committee urged the government to go ahead. The chair said denialism includes “attempts to excuse, minimize or deny basic established facts and survivors’ accounts.”

We’ve witnessed in recent years the extent that governments will go to achieve their goals. There’s no reason to think the growing censorship we’re witnessing will  suddenly stop. Which is why I’m inviting you – even strongly encouraging you – to sign up for our Busy Catholic email newsletter. If you value receiving Catholic news from a Catholic source, this may soon be one of the last places to access it.

In appreciation of Catholic journalism

After having a little time to digest and unpack the first lecture session of the Telling Truth in Charity Catholic journalism course, I wanted to express my thanks to you all, and share some observations, if you’ll permit me.

As a brief background, I am not a journalist. Rather, I work in the corporate world and my role often requires me to rely on internal communications to contextualize and prompt better actions from my colleagues. This is where the “journalism consists of listening, connecting, asking, observing, learning, telling, and producing for others” message resonated for me.

Regarding journalism, I appreciate the context you’ve all shared, and it helps to rebuild my opinion of (and trust in) modern news media despite its often-self-inflicted challenges.

Until now, I’ve been encouraged by bold examples of ethical journalism such Michael H Brown (spiritdaily.com, who I was blessed to meet at a conference some years ago) and such non-mainstream media such as the Epoch Times, where I’ve seen wonderful articles from Peter Stockland and others who defend a traditional and respectful perspective regarding life, faith, and morals.

As Catholics, I understand that all we do needs to reflect our worship in Spirit and Truth.

During last week’s lecture, Peter Stockland sagely said that we need to be able to tell stories to each other. I believe this refers to the gifts of prophecy and interpretation at work. St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3 says it best. “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort.”

I believe that journalism can bring consolation and meaningful interpretation to the chaotic antics and noise out there, both reminding Christians of our (Godly and salvific) worldview and translating it for agnostics or people of other faiths.

Concerning this course, for as long as I’m able to attend, my intent is to learn something new, improve my communication skills, and above all, enjoy some wonderful Christian fellowship.

From that perspective, I feel I’ve already gained much through the first lecture.

I hope this path aligns with the direction of the program and thank you all for your efforts!

Mark Kossecki
Toronto

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