Because of a traditional tension between programming and news, Christian broadcasters really have to grapple with whether news is any different for us over the secular media.
"Should it be?" he asked. "Tragedies, politics, social issues--is news worth the investment from a programming standpoint? And if so, how do we communicate that to the people who hold the resources to make that possible?"
"Christians want to know what's going on in the community", responded Greg Yoder, News Director of Mission Network News and a local News Director in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "Why should we force them to tune somewhere else to get that news."
He urged those considering a local news operation, to go ahead with it. "It's vital to your ministry, your listeners will love you for it." He said many listeners have a heart for people and for souls. People want to be able to pray for those who are suffering.
"It's a part of spreading the Gospel," he added, "because you can encourage people to pray. It opens the eyes of your listeners, that this place isn't all that great. We need to pray about it, we need to get involved.
"Providing local news and providing religion news helps us stay focused on our mission as a radio station," he added. "What are you trying to do as a radio station? Are you trying to disciple or evangelize? Figure out how news can become a part of that mission. It's a vital service that's really needed on Christian radio."
Yoder said the Mission Network News' Mission Statement had three parts:
#1 educate
#2 motivate
#3 get involved
Mission Network News stories are local news, he insisted, defining local as "anything that has a direct impact on the listening family."
Jeff Taylor, Managing Editor of COMPASS DIRECT News Service, stressed the importance of correcting our America-centric vision through our radio news reporting, and letting listeners know about other parts of the body of Christ.
Some of the important battles we face include:
. #1 - In the realm of ideas. "We need to be concerned about other cultures but today we're being told all cultures are equal," he said. "We will be confronted with this and more accurate news reporting will help your constituency deal with the issue."
. #2 - In the realm of communications. Sources of information are multiplying, he said, and lots of mis-information is available. Dealing with all of this information takes some understanding. As an example he mentioned the "Mike Hutchinson Email" involving a missionary in trouble. "It keeps circulating even though it happened months ago. We have to keep up with that kind of stuff."
#3 - In the realm of the spirit. "Radio can help the church in the west learn from the persecuted church," he said. "Our theology is affected by our culture, we need to be sensitive to that. We're ministering to and supporting the persecuted church, but we can also learn from them."
Moving two years ago from a job as news director at KWAV radio in California to become a news feature producer at DECISION TODAY, Keith Peters said he has gained a new perspective on news. "How I see things may not be how other people see them," he said.
He believes even more strongly now that it's important to tell the truth, and give both sides of a story. In times past, covering issues he was passionate about, he sometimes fell short and did not present both sides.
"If Jesus Christ is the Truth, how can we not give people the truth?" he asked. "If we give people the truth, we'll let listeners decide. That's the highest complement we can pay to them. We need to use our voice responsibly, in keeping with God's covenant with us."
Christians are more comfortable bashing the liberal media for their sins, said Gordon Govier, editor of SCRIBE newsletter. "We need to get beyond that and learn how to use news."
Govier praised the skill of Jim Warren who hosts the Open Line program on the Moody Broadcasting Network and was originally scheduled to be on the panel. Warren, he said, is one who uses news in a Christian format very well, getting listeners informed and then focusing prayers on that issue.
"News can bring new audience members to a Christian radio station," Govier suggested. "The music may be unfamiliar, and the preaching may make them uncomfortable, but people might tune it to get the best informed coverage of what's happening in their community."
News can also get Christian radio people out into the community where they can be salt and light as well as a bridge connecting vital parts of that community.
News is also a great way of focusing on what God is doing. He cited Mission Network News' focus on missions, his own BOOK & THE SPADE news program on Biblical Archaeology ("the only source of new information on the Bible"), and the family issues covered by Family News in Focus.
"We have incredible tools, and an incredible God who's doing great things around the world." he said. "Christian radio is one of the best tools to inform people about what is being done."
Professor Pollak added one final admonition: "Your audience will ascribe the truthfulness to the Gospel to the extent we are fair in our news. If they have to take our news with a grain of salt, than why should they not doubt the Gospel message as well?"