Catholic Media Journal » News

Soundslides Project – God is Everywhere

Jim Coyle — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:19:18 +0000

This is a project by Shelbi Linscomb, her first using Soundslides.

PBS Considering Striking ‘Sectarian’ Programming – Seeking Response Before June 12, 2009

Jim Coyle — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:11:01 +0000

We received word today about some programming policy changes that will be voted on by the PBS Board next week. These changes would have an impact on religious programming, and would particularly affect those PBS stations owned by Catholic entities. I encourage you to read this information, and if you can provide feedback to PBS, please do so before June 12, 2009.

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is poised to vote on June 14-15 on a revised programming policy for its affiliated television stations which, among other policies, would not permit them to air “sectarian” programs. Part of its decision will include a definition of “sectarian.” PBS’ proposed definition appears to include such programs as “The Face: Jesus in Art” and “Walking the Bible”, but excluding programs which consist of religious services (such as the Mass). In a meeting with USCCB staff, PBS spokespersons said that its upcoming decision will be an attempt to balance the need for its affiliates to meet their statutory requirement to meet local needs and interests with a desire to prevent the PBS “brand” from being associated with particular religious views and beliefs. PBS is a private corporation whose members are the television stations affiliated with PBS, and is not a government agency, so constitutional concerns and arguments are not germane to this proposed policy. Nevertheless, PBS’ decision can be influenced by the opinions not only of its member-stations, but of the affected communities.

The national PBS leadership is receiving comments on its proposed “no sectarian program” rule from its affiliates, which include several stations owned by religious entities. Those include WLAE, a New Orleans PBS affiliate owned by a lay Catholic organization, KMBH, a Brownsville PBS affiliate owned by the Diocese of Brownsville and KBYU, a PBS affiliate owned by a division of Brigham Young University. The Archdiocese of Washington already has been informed by WHUT in Washington, D.C. that its Mass for shut-ins, which had been aired for years on that station, will be dropped.

PBS staff has [said] that the decision-making committee would find community reaction helpful. If you or your staff have a reaction to this proposed decision, please send an email or fax to: Helen Osman, Secretary of Communications, USCCB at hosman@usccb.org or 202/541-3129 before June 12, 2009. We will forward these comments to PBS immediately.

More information on this topic can be found at http://www.current.org/pbs/pbs0907sectarian.shtml.

Jim Coyle

Franciscan University Students to Produce Reality Mini-Series of Pope’s U.S. Visit

Jim Coyle — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:19:43 +0000

Communication Arts students from Franciscan University of Steubenville will be in Washington, D.C., April 15-18, to produce a reality-based television mini-series during Pope Benedict XVI’s visit.

Their production will be one of the first professionally produced documentaries to tell the true story of how college students are positively influenced by their religion and how they are moved by the first visit of this pontiff to the United States.

Prior to Pope Benedict’s arrival, the Franciscan University film crew will be granted special access to the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., where the pope will conduct a peace dialogue with leaders of other faiths that will be one of the most significant interfaith discussions of his papacy. The crew will be allowed into the chapel where the pope will pray and receive an in-depth briefing about the preparations and protocol for the pope’s visit.

The production crew will also conduct interviews with college students and young people as they attend other papal events and mingle in Washington, D.C., streets, cafés, and restaurants.

In addition, they will conduct interviews with some of the world’s leading athletes who will be in Washington for the pope’s visit and a meeting of Catholic Athletes for Christ.

The three-part mini-series is a collaborative effort between Capistrano Films, an inspirational and faith-based production company, and the Communication Arts Department of Franciscan University of Steubenville. It will be co-directed by Antonio Soave of Capistrano Films and Dr. Jim Coyle of Franciscan University. The crew, comprised of television and journalism students, will be led by Maria Mitchell and Emma Smits.

Audio from the Field

Jim Coyle — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:12:57 +0000

Real-time Real-world on-location report. Well, this first audio report is from my office at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I’m looking forward to our trip to Washington for Pope Benedict’s visit, and having the chance to share the trip with you.

Jim Coyle

American Public Media Asking for Stories by Catholics

Jim Coyle — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:24:33 +0000

American Public Media’s “Speaking of Faith” with Krista Tippett is inviting people to share their stories and reflections about the Catholic church to help express “the humanness of Catholic identity.” As noted on their website:

We’re using the occasion [of Pope Benedict's U.S. visit] as an opportunity to start a broad-ranging conversation about the rich tradition of Roman Catholicism — its history, trajectory, and the contemporary issues Catholics are wrestling with. Although we often hear news stories about the Catholic Church, diverse practitioners of the faith have had little voice in telling their stories.

If you are or were Catholic, we’d like to hear your perspectives on what anchors and unsettles you in this vast tradition. We’re also interested in the hopes and concerns you have for the church, now and into the future.

It will be interesting to find out what personal stories people share. And thanks for the tip about this from Pope2008.com.

News About…Us

Jim Coyle — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:30:59 +0000

The National Catholic Register’s website posted some comments by Fr. Owen Kerns, LC, Publisher of the Register, about some of the New Media work they’re doing – and mentioned some things we did in our Church & Media class last week in connection with Tim Drake’s Pope2008.com blog:

But here’s the most unusual attention [we've received about the blog]: Professor Jim Coyle at Franciscan University of Steubenville has been teaching a course on the use of new media in Catholic communications. He assigned students a paper on Pope2008.com’s blog coverage. Then he interviewed Tim, with the students present, and made the interview available as a podcast on his Catholic Media Journal website.

You can read the whole post here, or in the Register’s next issue.

It’s great exploring and experiencing New Media. We can all have a voice in the new media space – and there are many voices calling for our attention. There’s so much we can learn and share, but we have to stay alert as we seek the Truth.

Jim Coyle

Call In Your Experience of the Clinton Pro-Life Protest

Jim Coyle — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:18:00 +0000

The Communication Arts Department at Franciscan University would like to hear about your participation in the Pro-Life demonstration during Bill Clinton’s visit to Steubenville February 17. Share your experience for possible inclusion in an upcoming audio podcast. Tell us why you participated and what it was like to be there. Call 740-314-1830

Thanks,
Dr. Jim Coyle

Franciscan U Students at the United Nations: Looking Forward and Looking Back

Jim Coyle — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:42:00 +0000

During our 2005 Spring Break, 25 Franciscan University of Steubenville students and four faculty members traveled to United Nations headquarters in New York and spent the week at the UN’s “Beijing Plus 10″ conference on the Status of Women. Working with the talents of the Communications students and staff, that week we inaugurated Franciscan University’s Podcasting services – which have had more than 100,000 downloads since March, 2005. As another means of sharing our experiences there, we established a Web-based communication outreach, Catholic NGO Voice, focusing on issues involving authentic Catholic Human Rights around the world. The NGO Voice website is presently being redesigned and will be online again by late February, but our many podcasts are available online. Several of the participating students and staff members were interviewed by Vatican Radio and featured on their global English language programmes.

Upon returning to Franciscan University, students and faculty attending the “Beijing + 10″ conference shared about their experiences and impact at a live presentation to the University community. The live reports concluded with some of the photos and comments recorded in New York. On this small screen, I invite you to see and hear that closing presentation:

Franciscan University students and faculty members have participated in several other UN commissions since then, and during our Spring Break next month, students and faculty members will be spending a week at the UN’s 2008 Commission on the Status of Women, with reports throughout the week on the NGO Voice website and Podcast site. We’ll let you know when the updated website is up so you can follow the story as we return to the United Nations.

Jim Coyle

Planning Triumph of the Cross Cathedral – 2005-2007

Jim Coyle — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:08:00 +0000

I mentioned in my Church and the Media class this morning that I have been a member of the Building Committee for Triumph of the Cross, a new parish church which would also be the new cathedral for the Diocese of Steubenville. The Building Committee included members from the six parishes in the city of Steubenville that would be closed and form the new Triumph of the Cross Parish.

Meeting weekly, our first couple of months were devoted to studying Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship, a document issued by the U.S. Bishops Conference in 2000 to guide people planning church building and renovation projects. As stated in the book’s preface,

The document begins with a theological reflection on the liturgy and liturgical art and architecture. Since decisions about church art and architecture should always be based upon the theology of the eucharistic assembly and its liturgical action and the understanding of the Church as the house of God on earth, the first chapter is foundational for the chapters that follow.

The remaining chapters addressed liturgical principles and practices as well as practical architectural principles. It is a rich source of ideas about worship and buildings designed for workship.

We took advantage of online media opportunities by regularly sharing about our work through a website for the new parish, posting early floor plans, renderings and computer images we received from the architects. I invite you to take a look at what we’ve posted:

My birthday is November 18, the day the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul. Not just Saints Peter and Paul, but the Basilicas named after them. Whether or not it’s coincidental, I have so often been aware of the effects a church building itself can have on my prayer and worship. It has indeed been a blessing to be a member of the Triumph of the Cross Building Committee.

Jim Coyle

Coming in 2008: The New Catholic Media Journal

Jim Coyle — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:38:00 +0000

Catholic Media Journal was started in 2005 to share experiences by a group of Catholic journalists visiting areas hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

During the first quarter of 2008 we’ll be bringing you a “New” Catholic Media Journal. Watch this space for details.

Jim Coyle