The Pillar Stories Do Raise Questions—But Not About Journalistic Ethics, by Phil Lawler

By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, July 28, 2021

Journalistic ethics: That’s not a topic often discussed by Catholic media outlets, and for two good reasons.

First, most Catholic media outlets are heavily subsidized, and therefore reliant on the goodwill of their sponsors. A diocesan newspaper, for instance, is reporting on the institution that pays its bills. There’s a conflict of interest there—albeit one so obvious that it doesn’t really require disclosure.

Second—and related—most Catholic media outlets steer well clear of controversy. When the editors limit themselves to “safe” stories, they are rarely tempted to violate journalistic standards….

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