Evolution of a Diocesan Newspaper
It's been interesting to watch the fluctations in our local Catholic newspaper, the Catholic Times. I'd love to know the politics involved in the changes, primarily who chooses the editor since the newspaper becomes a reflection of said editor (I assume the bishop has the final say but it's probably someone lower in the chain who recommends him or her). Our paper has changed so much in the last five or six years that you could get whiplash.
In the beginning, or at least a decade or so ago, the paper was resolutely non-controversial: events & festivals were listed, the columnists were socially acceptable (i.e. moderate to liberal). All was calmness and the effect was mildly soporific. Then a new editor took over and made it more intellectually stimulating, more disputatious, and more conservative. He added the George Weigel column, printed long excerpts from Vatican encyclicals like Humane Vitae as well as more recent papal offerings, and encouraged letters to the editor (of which yours truly contributed - now I don't get printed anymore as I'm too disputatious/conservative).
Clearly this wasn't going to last, 'eh?
A new editor took over and made it a kindler, gentler publication. More felt-bannery. Sharp color photography was added, polemics discarded, and cultural Catholism was emphasized, including lots of photographs of kids. In the latest issue, abortion-rights supporter Elizabeth Edwards is proudly mentioned as speaking at a local Cathlic college. No mention, of course, was made of her advocacy of universal abortion coverage last fall.
It's just like old times.
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