Journalism
Essays by speakers in journalism or communications professions.
Andrews, Mae E.
Society editor and magazine contributor Mae E. Andrews describes how her faith in God sustained her during the death of her sister from cancer.
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Angell, Norman, 1874-1967
Journalist, author, and Member of the British Parliament Norman Angell describes his belief that evil will triumph over good in society unless individuals recognize their own personal capacity for evil and strive to overcome this tendency through self-discipline.
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Barry, Gerald Reid, Sir, 1898-
Journalist and editor Sir Gerald Barry talks about the changes in the world after World War II, his relationship to Christianity, and his belief that since there is no life after death, one must appreciate and live one’s own life to the fullest extent.
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Beveridge, William Henry Beveridge, Baron, 1879-1963
Journalist, economist, lawyer, and author Lord Beveridge states his belief in “vicarious immortality” and in the value both in leaving a legacy of virtue and in following the legacy left by Christ the man.
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Binder, Carroll, 1896-1956
Carroll Binder, editorial editor of the Minneapolis Tribune, relates his personal tragedies and the principles he relies on to avoid cynicism and maintain the enjoyment of life through adversity.
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Bingham, Barry, 1906-1988
Radio, television and newspaper owner Barry Bingham explains the effect that war had on his upbringing and how contemplation while in the Pacific Islands led him to the awareness that he must work to the best of his ability to earn and deserve God’s Friendship, as must all people.
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Broeg, Heloise Parker, 1901-1970
Newspaper editor and radio broadcaster Heloise Parker Broeg describes her belief in the importance of human relationships, love, work, and knowledge.
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Brown, Margery Finn
Journalist, author, and Army spouse Margery Brown describes her beliefs in God, in the existence of a soul, in the satisfaction of contributing to life, and in the value of humility.
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Brundidge, Harry T.
Journalist Harry Brundidge describes his friendships with criminals; his belief that criminals, like anyone else, have good qualities; his disappointment in the failure of some Christians to extend kindness towards ex-convicts; his gratitude for those Christians who have helped ex-convicts find jobs; and the satisfaction he receives from treating prisoners like people.
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Burman, Ben Lucien, 1896-1984
Journalist and author Ben Burman describes his beliefs in the value of kindness, the importance of striving for artistic excellence, and the utility of humor as an anecdote to pretension and tyranny.
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Chyz, Yaroslav J., 1894-1958
Journalist and editor Yaroslav Chyz runs through many of the simple adages he lives by but emphasizes that underlying them all is the “Golden Rule.”
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Daniels, Jonathan, 1902-1981
Newspaper editor and author Johnathan Daniels relates a story from his religious upbringing about the remarkable testimonials told in his religious community and explains that equality of all men before God is what drew him to the Episcopalian Church.
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Davis, Elmer Holmes, 1890-1958
Elmer Davis discusses the importance of intellectual freedom to freedom and progress, and some of the difficulties that can come with such freedom.
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Dupuch, Etienne, Sir
Bahamian newspaperman Etienne Dupuch, Editor and Publisher of the Nassau Daily Tribune, describes how his newspaper has been run in humble reliance on God, and describes his belief in the efficacy of prayer and in freedom from fear of death.
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Frank, Pat, 1907-1964
Journalist and author Pat Frank describes his experiences as a war correspondent with Edward R. Murrow during World War II; explains how his interactions with Germans, Japanese, and Italians give him hope that people share a fundamental humanity; and notes that the chance to watch history unfold is a great opportunity and responsibility, despite the uncertainty of the era.
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Freeman, Lucy, 1916-2004
Journalist and author Lucy Freeman talks about her mental health and how psychoanalysis and faith helped her to feel good about herself again.
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French, Paul Comly, 1903-1960
Journalist and administrator Paul French remembers the lasting impression his mothers words, “You’ll never be able to fool thyself,” and “Take thy job seriously but never thyself” made on him and the affect these sentiments had on his life to obey his conscience, respect people, and help others.
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Greene, Ward, 1892-1956
Newspaper editor and author Ward Greene charts a timeline of faith through an individual’s lifetime (accepting as a child, intense as a young adult, and uncertain in middle age) and describes his beliefs in simple truths such as the Golden Rule.
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Hamilton, Mary Agnes, 1884-1966
Journalist and former Member of the British Parliament Mary Agnes Hamilton describes her belief in the soul and the bond it creates between fellow human beings, and her belief in absolute values that remain true despite the evils of Nazism and Communism.
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Harris, E. A. Gene
Newspaper editor, real estate agent, and mortgage broker Gene Harris describes his belief that following “natural laws” in one’s daily life will help build a “storm-proof philosophic anchorage.”
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Harsch, Joseph C. (Joseph Close), 1905-
Journalist and radio news analyst Joseph Harsch describes his beliefs in the value of always moving forward (rather than stagnating) and in the importance of helping others.
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Hodges, Leigh Mitchell, 1876-
Journalist Leigh Hodges describes how his constant worry and fear changed to hope and confidence, and how he came to believe in himself and enjoy the opportunities each new day brings.
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Hubben, William, 1895-1974
German-born newspaper editor William Hubben describes how, despite his experiences in Nazi Germany and the popular lack of faith in social progress, he still maintains a belief in the meaning of life and faith in the moral values of the next generation.
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Iglesias, Antonio
Mexican-born author and journalist Antonio Iglesias describes how his three ideals (the search for truth, a love for beauty, and a reverence for goodness) have offered him strength, certainty and motivation to pursue life despite depression, physical handicaps, suffering, loneliness, and moral indifference.
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Kemsley, James Gomer Berry, Viscount, 1883-1968
Newspaper proprietor Lord Kemsley describes his beliefs in the importance of family life, home-made entertainment, and self-reliance.
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Laing, Nora
South African-born journalist Nora Laing describes the process of how she came to believe in the immortality of the soul and in a life’s purpose that extended beyond fulfilling physical needs and desires.
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McAlpin, Harry S.
Harry McAlpin, a journalist and lawyer, describes his belief in the importance of justice and equality, and the challenges of living that creed as an African American in America.
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Meeman, Edward J. (Edward John), 1889-1966
Edward Meeman, editor of the Memphis Press Scimitar, describes his transition from doubt to belief and how his faith has given him peace and happiness.
Morgan, Edward P., 1910-1993
Journalist Edward Morgan talks about the importance of understanding one’s self and compassion for humanity in achieving a greater understanding and appreciation of life and beauty.
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Mowrer, Paul Scott, 1887-1971
Journalist and poet Paul Mowrer describes the importance of faith and hope to his beliefs, which include first hand experiences of both the good and bad that people can do.
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Nilson, Alfred
Alfred Nilson, radio engineer and sailor, describes how, as a harvester in California, the only way to keep his balance while traveling on foot along the railroad ties was to focus his eyes on the distance, and he explains how this lesson in farsightedness has helped him to balance the rest of his life.
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O’Leary, Thomas V.
Thomas O Leary, News Editor of the Scranton Times, describes stories of human kindness, and his belief that working in newspapers is a way to bring the truth to light.
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Patterson, Grove, 1881-1956
Newspaper editor Grove Patterson describes his belief in a Supreme Power who created the universe, in immortality, in the efficacy of prayer, in the existence of natural law, in the existence of evil caused by humans, and in the courage to face rather than withdraw from the world’s problems.
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Reicher, Clement
German journalist Clement Reicher recounts a short allegory he wrote as a child which formed the basis for his belief that love must be personal (rather than idea-driven) and non-possessive, in order to increase happiness.
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Reynolds, Quentin James, 1902-1965
Journalist Quentin Reynolds explains why he would first burn the Bible if he were a dictator: the Bible is the source of democracy and its stories tell of the power of individuality and non-conformity, values which make a dictatorship impossible, according to Reynolds.
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Schoenbrun, David
Journalist David Schoenbrun talks about his introduction to Descartes and philosophy; the importance of doubting and questioning to liberty and his life; and how, contrary to assumption, his doubt is based upon and strengthens his faith and spirituality.
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Scratch, Walter Leonard, 1902-
Journalist Walter Scratch describes his belief that spiritually minded people will create a good society, that societal change must start with personal responsibility, that individual religious experience is important, and that religion ought to be growing and open to change.
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Sears, William
Sportscaster and author Bill Sears talks about his belief in the importance of developing faith and a moral character to live life to its fullest potential and greatest happiness.
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Seltzer, Louis Benson, 1897-1980
Louis Seltzer, Editor-in-Chief of the Cleveland Press, describes how he accounts to God daily for his conduct and describes his efforts to always make the best of his abilities, however limited, and to produce goodness in the world through his actions.
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Shirer, William L. (William Lawrence), 1904-1993
While reporting from Germany during Nazi rule, radio commentator William L. Shirer learned the value of tolerance and freedom and was inspired by people’s ability to retain their faith and will to live in the face of atrocities. Shirer believes that man’s resilience, especially during times of war, comes from having a rich inner life of reflection and contemplation.
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Sokolsky, George E. (George Ephraim), 1893-1962
Columnist George Sokolsky talks about his experience abroad and how the experience affected his philosophy of life, politics, and religion.
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Soule, Oscar F.
Oscar Soule, president of the WFBL radio station, quotes Lee Bristol’s This I Believe essay and states his agreement with Bristol’s belief that service to man is like a payment of rent for time on earth.
Stowe, Leland, 1899-
Leland Stowe talks about his experiences around the world meeting different people and the similarities he saw and how his experiences convinced him that everyone should try to understand other people and act with compassion and empathy.
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Swing, Raymond, 1887-1968
Raymond Swing, journalist and editor of the This I Believe program, describes how the realization that most of his troubles were caused by ignorance led him to become more tolerant of others, and states his beliefs in his participation in the “All-Wisdom” of God, in his responsibility to change himself, and in the importance of extending to others the love and freedom which he desires for himself.
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Vann, Jessie, 1885-1967
Jessie Vann, an African American newspaper proprietor, describes her belief in the value of keeping her promises, her aunt’s prediction that she would never amount to anything, her belief in the power of gratitude and appreciation, and the management of her husband’s newspaper after he died.
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Williams, Joe, d. 1972
Sportswriter Joe Williams describes how sports and an escape from a plane crash have crystallized his philosophy: that sports reveal and develop character, and that there comes a point when events in life can’t be changed, but rather go “into the record” and must be accepted with calmness.
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Williams, Paul B.
Paul Williams, editor of the Utica Daily Press, describes his belief that what makes humans different from animals is their ability to communicate, exchange ideas, form opinions, and reach judgements–characteristics which support the progress of civilization.
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Williams, Roger C.
Newspaper publisher Roger Williams describes his belief that the modern age needs to balance its achievements in science and technology with wisdom and the foresight to anticipate the impact that innovations will have upon daily living.
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