At the intersection of truth and charity

Pope Leo cover

Photo: Pope Leo XIV recently delivered a speech to journalists at the Paul VI Assembly Hall.

Pope Leo XIV recently delivered a speech to journalists at the Paul VI Assembly Hall. Photo courtesy of Guglielmo Mangiapane via Reuters.

Throughout my time at Silver Chips Online and Blair, there have been a number of controversial incidents: bomb threats, ghost guns, lawsuits, and protests, just to name a few. These events have revealed the constant need for truth and hope in a broken world — a need that can only be met by a facts-driven publication. Yet so often these facts are obscured, devalued, or erased. 

Word choice matters

Consider the death of Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, for instance. In September 2024, her ex-boyfriend attacked and killed her in Kenya after the Paris Olympics. Subsequent news reports failed to capture the gravity of the incident, using euphemisms like “Cheptegei dies” or “Cheptegei passes away” to describe her death. This not only downplayed the brutal nature of Cheptegei’s death but also the larger problem of domestic violence in Uganda. There are numerous examples of these mistakes — both large and small — that obscure the purpose of journalism, all of which are derailed by partisan, racial, or social biases. 

School level 

This doesn’t solely apply to international publications. Difficult decisions of language, tone, and bias are present even in our school publications. Critical thinking is always necessary when making decisions about issues such as how we phrase a protest, describe an incident, or which student voices we place at the center of a piece. While it may seem tedious or even useless at times to consult grammar rules or chat back and forth with editors, it is deeply necessary. The line between fruitful and hurtful journalism is paper-thin. 

For this reason, the teaching of truthful and thoughtful journalism is imperative, and it should be emphasized in every journalism class. Learning to write succinct yet encompassing headlines, knowing the difference between the passive and active voice, and understanding how bias can creep into a seemingly innocent article – these are all essential skills that need to be reinforced in journalism training.

Pope Leo XIV

The newly elected Pontiff of Rome, Pope Leo XIV, recently held an audience with journalists, which inspired the theme of this article. In his short speech, Leo connected the principles of truth and charity and urged journalists to “disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred.” While he was speaking to an elite group of Vatican journalists, the Pope’s remarks also apply to student journalists like us at Blair. “We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice,” Leo writes. Striving to be both kind and truthful may seem difficult and even contradictory. However, it is with this spirit that we must embrace our mission as a publication. To seek to uplift those with our words while continuing to tell an unbiased story sometimes means resisting our instincts and learning to listen rather than talk. 

Some see the power of the media as an opportunity to twist truth or harm others. As in the situation of Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei, the emphasis is on speed and clicks rather than consideration and facts. 

The Holy Father’s remarks offer a more measured and sympathetic approach. “Today, one of the most important challenges is to promote communication that can bring us out of the ‘Tower of Babel’ in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan. Therefore, your service, with the words you use and the style you adopt, is crucial,” Pope Leo writes. The Pope’s challenge to the international media is ours, too: to rise above partisan noise and become voices of clarity and compassion. As journalists, whether students or professionals, we help shape the public view – one word at a time. So the next time there is a difficult or disturbing issue in the news, let us try to pursue both truth and charity, as Pope Leo XIV advises us, not only to report on the world but also to heal it.