Mormon Media Watch: For journalists, interaction will tear down intolerance

As a professional journalist and a Latter-day Saint, I am amazed by the level of negative rhetoric about my faith in the news media recently. As I review the good, the bad and the ugly written about GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a truism seems to hold. Just like the public at large, the more reporters and pundits know about Mormons (or have attempted to understand us) the less likely they are to use stereotypes, frame us as �wacky� and turn to those not of our faith to answer questions about what we believe.

Unfortunately, much of the national media resides in the eastern United States, where Mormons are as exotic as tropical birds and journalists do little more than parrot long-held stereotypes and misinformation. Frankly, I think journalists either don�t want to talk to Mormons or don�t know where to find them. At least one media critic recognizes the problems and suggests that the lack of Mormons in journalism could be a factor. Even so, there are some examples of the good and bad.

But first, let me point out that when I say �good� here I am talking about professional standards of fairness, objectivity and going to Mormons or those who understand us well as sources to provide balance and context. Even better, reporters draw upon first-hand experiences. I don�t expect puff pieces, but I do expect thorough reporting, good sourcing and fair play. Even in opinion columns, pundits shouldn�t be content with lazy research on the Web or with convenient sources.

Unfortunately, much of what passes for journalism is just that. Cases in point: New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd�s ugly portrait of Mormons is filled with stereotypes and relies on dubious expert John Krakauer. Similarly, Lawrence O'Donnell's rant on national television and Christopher Hitchens' mocking harangue is offensive on many levels. In particular, you wonder if O�Donnell and Hitchens believe Latter-day Saints ought to have any role at all in our nation�s public sphere. Would our nation tolerate such bigoted rhetoric about Judiasm or Catholicism? It is certainly banned by federal law in the workplace.

At the same time, there are those that understand Mormons and practice good journalism. Take David Broder's column after Mitt Romney�s recent faith and politics speech. As one of the nation�s most senior political reporters, Broder recalls George Romney�s commitment to civil rights in the face of questions about his faith and the integrity of the family.