When it comes to getting published, I guess it really helps to have "Kennedy" in your name, especially when writing about a topic you know little about. A new article by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend at Newsweek.com exhibits such a … [Read more...]
Media Singles Out Catholic Church, Goes Wild Over Report of Decades-Old Abuse – In Ireland
May 22, 2009 By
Since when is the media so interested in keeping America abreast of the latest news coming out of Ireland? A commission in Ireland just released a report detailing awful abuse of children who attended Catholic schools "from the … [Read more...]
Not the Catholic Church? (IV): L.A. School District ‘Repeatedly’ Returned Child Molesters to the Classroom; Where’s the Media?
May 10, 2009 By
An explosive, front-page investigation on Sunday (5/10/09) in the Los Angeles Times reported that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) "repeatedly" returned teachers and aides credibly accused of child molestation back … [Read more...]
More Disparate Coverage From LA Times (And Rest of Media) In Covering Sex Abuse
April 23, 2009 By
Check out the following two stories: 1. A former Catholic priest comes forward Monday (4/20/09) to say that another priest abused him as a teenager nearly 30 years ago. (The accused priest has no other similar public complaints and … [Read more...]
Book Review: William Lobdell’s Dishonest ‘Losing My Religion’ (Extended)
February 28, 2009 By
William Lobdell's new book Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America-and Found Unexpected Peace is nothing original. A former "serious Christian" loses his faith because he finds a … [Read more...]
At the LA Times, Some Lawsuits Are More Worthy Than Others
February 11, 2009 By
Today's Los Angeles Times (Wed. Feb. 11, 2009) features a curious article on page B4, "O.C. priest is focus of suit over alleged molestation," written by the fact-challenged Duke Helfand and staffer Christine Hanley. The … [Read more...]
Yet Another Fallacious Op-Ed on Church Abuse Scandal From the LA Times
February 4, 2009 By
As we've stated before, no one can challenge the awful harm wrecked upon youth at the hands of Catholic clergy. The harm is real, incredibly sad, and unspeakably damaging. But that is no excuse for the Los Angeles Times to continue its … [Read more...]
More Disparate Coverage From LA Times in Coverage of Priest and Teacher Sex Scandals
January 31, 2009 By
As we reported a couple days ago, when a veteran middle-school teacher in nearby Santa Monica pleaded guilty last month to "multiple counts of illegal sex acts" and molesting nine young girls, the Los Angeles Times didn't … [Read more...]
LA Times Minimizes School Sex Scandals But Trumpets Flimsy Story on Cardinal Mahony
January 30, 2009 By
When a veteran middle-school teacher in nearby Santa Monica pleaded guilty last month to "multiple counts of illegal sex acts" and molesting nine young girls, the Los Angeles Times didn't feel the story warranted their … [Read more...]
As Christmas Approaches, LA Times Goes After Catholic Church; Reader Hits Back
December 7, 2008 By
It could be Christmas approaching, or it could be the Catholic Church's success last month in its support of Proposition 8, the initiative to restore marriage in California. But it's curious to see what's been on the minds of … [Read more...]
