Finding the deeper stories behind the news
News is really the story of our shared humanity. Our writers and editors make that definition central to their work. In this weekly podcast, they’ll explain how, and show why it makes a difference.
News is the story of us.
Behind the headlines are people. And beneath the accounts of conflict and collaboration are deeper themes that go to our shared humanity. Themes that tend to unify. Themes that focus on abundance, not on lack.
Monitor journalists look for these values in their reporting. Sometimes that means producing counternarratives. Often it means adding important perspectives.
The Monitor is producing a new weekly podcast, “Why We Wrote This,” aimed at illuminating our approach to the news and letting our readers hear directly from our reporters, editors, photographers, videographers, and podcasters – and get to know them. (It’s a reboot of our “Rethinking the News” podcast.)
We hope you’ll listen and share what you hear. We’ll be back next week with more about the thinking behind this new show and about why we think it’s needed now.
Episode transcript
[THEME MUSIC]
Samantha Laine Perfas: What makes a story newsworthy? What makes a story matter?
[THEME MUSIC]
At The Christian Science Monitor, a lot of thinking goes into each story we publish. Our reporters and editors uncover the universal values and concerns behind current events around the world.
And we want to share that thinking with you.
[THEME MUSIC]
I’m Samantha Laine Perfas, the host of our new podcast, “Why We Wrote This.” Each episode looks at a story covered by the Monitor, and shares, well, why we wrote it.
Sometimes it’s about highlighting justice and equality:
Kendra Nordin Beato: You can see human potential when you create spaces of equal treatment.
Laine Perfas: Other times it’s about approaching stories with dignity and humility:
Alfredo Sosa: A photographer can control the lighting, composition, but really the connection with the subject – that has to be given to you.
Laine Perfas: And other times it’s about addressing a complicated issue with fairness and respect:
Christa Case Bryant: Where are my blind spots? What am I missing? What perspectives am I not understanding or including?
Laine Perfas: All in all, we strive for balance and a deeper understanding of issues:
Taylor Luck: It’s not either/or. It’s yes/and. It could be yes, there’s negative things happening in this country. There’s also some positive things happening.
[THEME MUSIC]
Laine Perfas: Our new podcast “Why We Wrote This” begins next week. The show will take the place of “Rethinking the News,” so you can listen right here! We’ll be dropping new episodes on Fridays. To listen, you can find us on Apple and Spotify or visit csmonitor.com/whywewrotethis.
Keep an eye out for the first episode next week. Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you soon.
This episode was produced by The Christian Science Monitor, copyright 2022.
