Here's a great example of agenda journalism and a nice peek into the inner workings of the Republic. Let's set the stage...the Catholic Diocese is laying off several employees.
For the second year in a row, the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix has eliminated positions and laid off personnel.
Fifteen positions were cut, and 12 employees were laid off. Last year, the diocese eliminated 17 positions and laid off 11 people.
Towards the end of the article, Reporter Michael Clancy throws in this editorial non sequitur.
Despite the financial constraints, the diocese last year was able to send $50,000 to support an anti-gay-marriage initiative in Maine.
Does that have anything to do with the story? Of course not. It's merely a device to make the reader jump to the conclusion that the Diocese has its priorities misplaced.
Clancy is a Catholic who has made it clear that he is unhappy local Catholic leadership, yet the Republic continues to give him a forum in which he can pound away at the Church. So Clancy works his own private feud into his stories and the Republic management give him a free hand.
Do you think what would happen if the issue went the other way? What if a Conservative journalist covered Planned Parenthood and peppered his stories with snarky little abortion references?* How long do you think he would last before Randy Lovely made the reporter chose between advancing his own personal agenda and actual journalism?
Of course, since Randy Lovely agrees with Clancy on this issue, so Clancy can write whatever he wants. Naturally, you are free to cancel your subscription...which might explain the circulation numbers for the last 15 years.
Meanwhile, Clancy gets to vent his private frustration at the Diocese and Lovely continues to be a hero in the gay community.
Ah yes, the finest of journalistic traditions.
*Footnote: The more appropriate example would be a Catholic Editor who allowed snarky references about the GLBTQ community into his stories.
It is absolutely appropriate to highlight a very public enterprise's budget choices.
Posted by: RsSuck | March 12, 2010 at 02:58 PM
It's Fabulous!
Posted by: Pat Hickey | March 12, 2010 at 03:30 PM
It was a prudent use of the funds in a successful defense of marriage in Maine. Of course Clancy did not complain when the bishop gave money for Haitian relief.
Greg, you are right. It is simply Catholic bashing.
But Christ predicted this....so its all good.
Posted by: John Jakubczyk | March 12, 2010 at 04:21 PM
Since when is a private organization that is funded strictly by it's members and spends according to it's very clearly laid out beliefs a "public enterprise"? The Catechism of the Catholic Church and Cannon Law are very well written out and documented.... not super hard to understand. It is unfortunate that many call themselves "Catholic" but haven't taken the time to really understand what that means. Join another organization... maybe a "public enterprise". It's not that hard!
Posted by: Catholic's Rock! | March 12, 2010 at 04:28 PM
Incidentally, Clancy is no Catholic.
Posted by: Catholic's Rock! | March 12, 2010 at 04:30 PM
There are just so many jokes that can be made in bad taste here. I'll refrain, but please know it was very hard. I enjoy a cheap laugh.
Posted by: Jim Torgeson | March 12, 2010 at 05:37 PM
It's not Catholic bashing; it's Diocese bashing. There are plenty of Catholics here who weren't too happy about sending $50K to Maine when there are so many pressing needs here.
And it's a cop out to say, if you don't like it, leave. Did you leave the US and go live somewhere else when you disagreed with the priorities of the government or did you stay and work for change?
It's ironic that Catholics Rock tells other Catholics to learn about the catechism if they don't like how the Diocese has prioritized. Thanks to the recent cuts to adult Catholic education, it's become a lot harder to do just that.
Posted by: Faith | March 12, 2010 at 06:15 PM
I don't think the comparison to a Catholic Editor hits the mark as a comparison, it's more of a contrast. The editor of a Catholic publication is supposed to lead with the Faith. No reader would be surprised or misled by that. But the Republic leads with no faith and with no journalism.
Posted by: Winnie | March 12, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Who cares about a dozen layoffs by the Catholics in the current climate of thousands of layoffs? The worst part of all about this is the ludicrous news judgment, once again, by the Republic. How pathetic that these clowns continue to operate this way while a dozen of the Valley's best journalists at the East Valley Tribune were laid off this week.
Posted by: Richard Moreno | March 12, 2010 at 06:59 PM
While these job losses are sad (some friends of mine were included), the real cuts are coming next week. The news on the street is that local hospitals and Magellan will announce thousands of layoffs next week. Watch for increased 'drive-by alerts' to be announced by emergency rooms beginning when lay offs are announced.
Posted by: ron | March 12, 2010 at 08:07 PM
I remember Father Mahoney in LA telling gays they shouldn't use condoms because birth control is against God's will.
Posted by: Jim Torgeson | March 13, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Faith,
You don't need ongoing Adult education to know that one of the Catholic Church's most pressing issues is the Santity of Life which enfolds the protection of the Family and Marriage (marriage defined as one man and one woman). Heck, you learn that early on as a young Catholic. Incidentally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is not an expensive book and clearly lays out all of the teachings I'm talking about (the Bible is a good one too)! I am tired of "Catholics" getting upset about the church trying to protect innocent life and marriage! It is at the very core of our beliefs and the essence of Jesus and the teachings he gives us. I am tired of "Catholic" politicians puting their ridiculous two cents in (Nancy Pelosi) and "Catholics" using their jobs (newspapers)as a platform to give their version of what being a Catholic means. All I'm saying is that it is very clear what our church teaches... those who don't like it, I pray for them to keep coming to church and keep growing and learning. I also pray for them to keep your mouth shut publicly as they don't represent the Church!
Posted by: Catholic's Rock! | March 13, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Despite the financial constraints, the diocese last year was able to send $50,000 to support an anti-gay-marriage initiative in Maine.
Randy Lovely is an openly gay man with his own agenda and doesn't hide it. The two years the Republic has featured more gay issues, gay pride parades and gay rodeo's than any other time.
Posted by: Blue sky | March 13, 2010 at 02:59 PM
Thanks Greg. Once again it takes you to point out what would go unnoticed by many. Every time I get close to renewing my subscription, the Republic does something to change my mind. I really do miss having a morning paper at the driveway if only to stare at the box scores. I grew up in a family where you fought to be the first to get the sports section. As I grew into my big boy pants, I started reading the other sections. The point is, I like beginning the morning with my own newspaper. I like it in my hands. But then they have to go and do something again which is driven entirely by the Lovely same sex attraction agenda. Why does Gannett allow this? They, the bottom line company, should understand they are not doing anything to better theirs.
Posted by: jm | March 13, 2010 at 11:46 PM
Weren't newspapers fairly neutral 30 years ago?
Posted by: Jim Torgeson | March 14, 2010 at 10:19 AM