SNOWBIRD, UTAH – The General Assembly Council has voted to create a new five-member task force to evaluate the role of the Presbyterian News Service – including whether the News Service should have editorial freedom, and how it should be funded.

That new task force will report back in March 2009, and its members will be appointed by Carol Adcock of Texas, who is chair of the council. The council approved the creation of the new task force, with little discussion, by a voice vote on Sept. 30.

Adcock explained that the review “is literally what it says it is,” an evaluation of how the News Service does its work. “We’re evaluating the six agencies of the General Assembly. It’s important for us to look at how we do our work,” at what needs to be changed, at what could be made more efficient, Adcock said.

But for the News Service, important questions are at stake. One of the issues on the table will be how a news service which has exercised a degree of editorial independence fits into the broader public relations plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the desire by some leaders for the denomination to have a consistent and coordinated message, particularly on controversial issues.

The News Service currently is governed by editorial guidelines which say it shall operate “with freedom and integrity,” shall “report the facts accurately, clearly, fairly, impartially and promptly,” and shall adhere to the ethical standards of the Associated Church Press.

The last time the council considered the role of the News Service directly was in 2002, when it voted by the slimmest of margins, 22 to 21, not to make any changes.

A report was presented at that time attempting to clarify the role of the News Service – with advocates for change wanting to make sure the denomination’s “institutional voice” was reflected in News Service stories, particularly on sensitive issues. But some claimed that would give denominational leaders more ability to “spin” or control the News Service coverage.

            The News Service currently has a budget of $305,000, with one coordinator and one reporter. Another third employee, reporter Toya Richards Hill, resigned last spring, and her position has not been filled.

For years, the News Service was funded through the per capita budget. Its funding was shifted to the mission budget for the current budget cycle.

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Jose Luis Casal, Tres Rios General Missioner
written by Jose Luis Casal, Tres Rios General Missioner, November 04, 2008

The real problem behing this affair is "control". Who controls what, is the real question. If we have a wise, ethical and honest person dealing with news it doesn't matter what kind of policy we have because every policy is susceptible of been interpret in different ways.
Along these years we have seen a consistent and impartial information published by our News Service. The work of Jerry Van Marter has been exceptional and outstanding so, why do we need to fix what is not broken?
Presbytery Executive

Elder, Deacon, former Presbytery Moderator
written by Gordon Zerkel, October 07, 2008

C'mon guys! It's not like we're dealing with the Layman here! I trust the PNS to be objective and independent....and that's the way I'd vote for them to remain!

Stated Clerk
written by Pete Wendell, October 07, 2008

Ouch! Isn't there enough "Presbyterian propaganda" rolling around out there as it is? Presbyterians Today seems an effective "Mouthpiece" for the Louisville Leadership. My vote is to let the News Service alone and let them do what they do best. NEWS.

Pastor
written by Tony Palubicki, October 07, 2008

Two items concern me with regards to the Presbyterian News Service. First, according to its own editorial guidelines the news service "shall operate “with freedom and integrity,” shall “report the facts accurately, clearly, fairly, impartially and promptly,” and shall adhere to the ethical standards of the Associated Church Press." I would ask the reviewers to examine whether or not the service has adhered to these guidelines, more often than not, from my perspective, the service is merely telling us what the Louisville wants us and the world to hear. Secondly, I cannot understand why the news service is being funded by mission funds! Christ's church in this country is struggling, missions in the presbyteries of this denomination are hurting for funds, funds to missionaries are being cut, and we're funding the news service with mission funds. This just does not appear to be proper use or good stewardship of mission funds.

member since 1955, asst. clerk of session, inactive elder, inactive deacon, inactive trustee, former sunday school teacher, etc.; B.S. Journalism
written by Elaine Sullivan, October 06, 2008

I think it is a very bad idea to have the Presbyterian News Service become a megaphone for the denomination officers. I am sometimes appalled at the positions taken by the leaders in Louisville. My husband often says that the people in Louisville just sit "up there" and think up things they would like to do. There is little enough responsibility to the denomination wide membership. You depend on us for money and talents, but you want to use the resources as only a few of you see fit. If you take away the small bit of editorial independence of the PNS, you should just abolish the service. Perhaps you could get rid of the office in Washington, also. I don't recall Jesus being involved in the political life of his time. He spoke truth to leaders when confronted, but he did not spend his time seeking out the secular political leaders.

Member, First Presbyterian Church, Midland, Tx
written by Carole Symonette, October 06, 2008

As a former staff member of the United Methodist Publishing House, I would hope that our General Assembly will shape the objectives for Presbyterian News Service. If the objective is, as the current mission statement says, to "report. . ." the guidelines presently governing its operation should be sustained. If the General Assembly realigns the objective to fit into a "denominational education model" Presbyterian News Service (or its successor) must morph into an entirely different information delivery system. The outcome of the evaluation process must be clearly communicated to the church at large so local church staff members and congregations will know whether they are being "educated" (e.g. political indoctrination)or "informed" (just the facts, ma'am). While the differences may be very subtle, confusion at the local church level may be greatly exacerbated if the distinction is not made.

News Service future
written by Ellen Rowbotham Davis, October 06, 2008

By its name, the Presbyterian News Service suggests it is reporting the 'denominational line.' However, its role as a thought-provoking independent source of information about the PCUSA suggests it should remain free to use wise editorial privilege to give us a wider viewpoint that one provided by the 'powers that be.' Freedom of the press ought to include freedom for the Presbyterian News Service to report issues with 'freemdon and integrity' as well as truthfully and impartially.