While most major newspapers are cutting back on specialty sections due to rising newsprint costs, the Dallas Morning News has expanded to an innovative six-page weekly religion section.
Most newspapers devote no more than one page per week to religion, and fewer than 50 papers have a full-time religion writer.
In Dallas, three staff writers, a section editor, a researcher, designer, part-time copy editor, and a stable of freelancers compile the section, in July rated the country's best by the Religion Newswriters Association.
The paper compiles what would be a dream section for evangelicals: Coverage of various denominations, profiles of local congregations, personnel changes among local clergy, national and international religion news, religious book and music reviews, and a weekly planner listing religious meetings, special events, speakers, and local religious TV programs.
Last year, the paper conducted a readership poll on religious attitudes and then convened 60 members of the religious community to critique the paper's religion coverage. Former Southern Baptist Convention president Jimmy Allen, who headed the panel, says that the nation's newsrooms seem to be more interested in better religion coverage.
And there is always room for improvement. Local Jewish and Southern Baptist leaders say they are pleased with the section but await meatier coverage. Only one of the three staff writers had any religion writing background.
"I give these people an A-minus in effort," says George Mason, a Southern Baptist who served on the panel. Compared to other papers, "They are light years down the road."
Copyright © 1995 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineShould the Bible Sound Like the Language in the Streets?Controversy over Bibles in Jamaica, the Philippines, and Germany reveal the divide between the sacred and the relatable.
- Editor's PickDied: Michael Knott, Christian Alternative Musician Who Helped Launch Tooth & NailKnott wrote rock operas, sang with honesty and conviction, called out hypocrites, and bucked the norms of the Christian music industry.