Media Misinformation

Some members of the media announced in the headlines and news stories and in radio talk that the Church had issued an ultimatum and was threatening people. Not true...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Standard) - Even though the Archdiocese of Washington has opposed the redefinition of marriage from the beginning of the same-sex marriage debate introduced into this community by the District of Columbia's City Council, neither the archdiocese nor Catholic Charities has ever threatened to willingly discontinue our services to the poor and needy. Despite the headlines and radio talk, there has been no threat or ultimatum to end services.

How is it then that we keep hearing repeated in local newspapers, a New York paper and local radio programs that the Church continues to threaten others? Why is it that the Catholic Church and Catholic Charities are being depicted as villains?

The answer is found in some misreporting that originated in one media source and that in turn was repeated by many other media outlets. Catholic Charities pointed out that under the new legislation Catholic Charities can be excluded from partnering with the District. Together with a wide range of other organizations and legal experts, Catholic Charities asked that Council members try to find a way to better balance interests so religious organizations that have served the city well for many decades may continue to provide services without compromising the tenets of their faith.

What is at issue is a simple recognition that the new requirements by the city for religious organizations to recognize same-sex marriages in their policies could restrict our ability to provide the same level of services as we do now. This is so because the District requires Catholic Charities to certify its compliance with city laws when applying for contracts and grants. This includes contracts for homeless services, mental health services, foster care and more. Since Catholic Charities cannot comply with city mandates to recognize and promote same-sex marriages, the city would withhold contracts and licenses.

Some members of the media announced in the headlines and news stories and in radio talk that the Church had issued an ultimatum and was threatening people. Not true, but certainly flashy reporting. A few equally misinformed sources have tried to fan these embers of falsehood into flames of anger and animosity towards the Church.

The age-old truism "don't believe everything you read or hear" is certainly applicable today. We have to be aware that sometimes the media doesn't get the facts straight, and one error can be repeated as fact in subsequent reporting, especially when the story deals with a controversial issue. Conflict, even when it is exaggerated or distorted, sells newspapers and increases television and radio audiences.

Today when you hear on the radio and television and read in newspapers, magazines and blog sites about how terrible the Catholic Church is, remember "where there is smoke there are probably also mirrors."

This media misinformation related to this story will be with us for some time. Writers, columnists, reporters, talk-show hosts and bloggers often simply use each other as sources. So when you hear this same old and false story repeated - and you will - remember what you are witnessing is the smoke and mirrors of media misinformation.