How (Some) News Media Cover Same-Sex Debate

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Covering the Same-Sex Marriage Debate

Here’s an interesting post on a site called “10000 Words—Where Journalism & Technology Meet” about how some news outlets have used technology in telling the same-sex marriage story. This relates to truthiness in that media consumers are bombarded by so much information (if we choose—or have time—to pay attention to it!) that it becomes difficult for us to figure out what’s true. You can see from this example of impressive coverage how being media smart can be hard work!

El Peez

PS: And in Saturday’s Salt Lake Tribune (2/13), this conversation about the distinction between religious/church marriage and civil unions. Is this really a religious issue, or a social/civil issue? The opposition to same-sex marriage seems to come on religious grounds, but few same-sex couples seem to want church weddings—the California law that was struck down by Proposition 8 in 2008 permitted civil marriages by mayors and judges, not church weddings, which are up to individual religions.

In her story, Rosemary Waters writes: “When a bride and groom exchange vows in a cathedral, chapel or temple, they receive a marriage license, blessed simultaneously by their clergy and their state.

But why? Other religious ceremonies aren't wedded to civil ones. The county clerk doesn't issue a baptism license. A priest doesn't deliver a funeral eulogy and then sign the death certificate.”

For couples—gay or straight—the central issues of marriage may be as much about matters like inheritance, health care and insurance as anything else. Oh, and love and commitment, too, of course. (Happy Valentine’s Day—to all loving couples!)


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