Faith in Journalism

Journalism and faith can easily mix. I think that faith can mix into any profession, and easily at that. A moral journalist is more respected than one who doesn’t have or practice moral journalism. Lying to get the answers that one wants and faking sources take place at times in the field of journalism. If someone does not practice journalism with morals the field becomes much less trusted. I think that a Christian doesn’t need to necessarily be outward about their faith, but needs to live like a moral follower of Christ.
I don’t think that faith is always appropriate in the workplace. I think there are times to be open about it and times not to. Everyone doesn’t need to know that a journalist is a believer to know that what they are doing is right and is respectable.
On the other hand, the journalist must be comfortable if others know his or her faith. In “People of Faith” by John Schmalzbauer, he tells the story of a journalist who was upset that her faith was revealed (47). I don’t think that is alright. If you are a person of faith then you should never separate that from your work.
Work as though you are working for God (Col. 3:23). I think that it is important to constantly work for your maker even if you don’t say daily that you are a Christian. As cliché as it is … Actions speak louder than words. Much louder actually. I think that acting like a Christian in the work place is as simple as treating co-workers with respect, not faking sources and using a moral compass when writing stories. It is simple to navigate what is and is not right in the work place by thinking things through.
The truth is, Christ is bigger than our workplaces. He is bigger than our majors and than the things we live out. I am so thankful to live in a world where being a Christian doesn’t mean that I have to be persecuted, or hide it. Sadly it can often happen that someone is descriminated against due to their faith, and it will probably happen at least once after I graduate. Leaving Biola, it won’t be easy to hide the fact that the B of Biola stands for Bible, but why would I want to hide that? I don’t want to work for an outwardly Christian publication necessarly, but I do want to proclaim Christ. I do want to live out my faith. I think that can be easy anywhere. It just takes courage, and that is something that I have a lot of.
If I end up working with Christians I will be so glad, and if I don’t I will be put there for a reason, to represent Christ, I will be equally as glad. Evangelism takes place in many forms. I am excited for my future in journalism, I hope that I am courageous enough to sometimes just be quiet.