COVID-19: The gap between news media and people of faith

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. A while back, I found myself asking a woman I’ve known all my life, “Do you really believe the news media is ‘the enemy of the people?’” “Yes, I do,” she replied. I … Continue reading COVID-19: The gap between news media and people of faith

This veteran religion journalist likes to sing spirituals — but not when she’s working

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Surely there’s someone out there who doesn’t like Adelle M. Banks. I just haven’t found that person yet. A rare soul beloved by colleagues and competitors alike, Banks is … Continue reading This veteran religion journalist likes to sing spirituals — but not when she’s working

A journalist’s faith: New memoir tells how justice prevailed in civil rights era murders

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. “To the One who loves justice.” That’s the simple dedication at the start of investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell’s long-awaited memoir, “Race Against Time,” which hits bookstores Tuesday. It reflects the deep Christian faith … Continue reading A journalist’s faith: New memoir tells how justice prevailed in civil rights era murders

Seven tips for covering horrific events at houses of worship — and treating victims right

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. I love journalism. I love my fellow journalists. But as I pointed out in last week’s column on the media barrage faced by minister Britt Farmer after a deadly shooting at his Texas church, I … Continue reading Seven tips for covering horrific events at houses of worship — and treating victims right

Story behind the story: How a busy weekend turned into front-page news

The behind-the-scenes narrative of our deadline coverage of the memorial events for Jack Evans Sr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TERRELL, Texas — Over the weekend, and on deadline for our December print edition, I made a 42-hour trip to this town 30 miles east of Dallas.  My mission: to cover the memorial events for Jack Evans Sr., the trailblazing longtime president of Southwestern Christian … Continue reading Story behind the story: How a busy weekend turned into front-page news

This journalist got a big scoop, only to watch Fox News steal his reporting — and his traffic

By Kelly McBride|Poynter Institute Bobby Ross Jr. is a veteran religion reporter and a man of faith. He edits The Christian Chronicle, an independent news organization serving the Church of Christ community. It was surprising, then, when Ross took to Twitter last week to call out a Fox News reporter. The cable TV network “aggregated”  (Ross will say “stole”) one of his best stories without doing its … Continue reading This journalist got a big scoop, only to watch Fox News steal his reporting — and his traffic

My son Keaton reports: Oklahoma opioid trial has national implications

By Bobby Ross Jr. My son Keaton is a general reporting intern for The Oklahoman. I was excited to see his story on the national implications of an ongoing trial against opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson at the top of Sunday’s front page. Keaton, a 22-year-old journalism major, will be a senior this fall at Oklahoma Christian University, where he will serve as editor-in-chief of the … Continue reading My son Keaton reports: Oklahoma opioid trial has national implications

Oklahoma SPJ recognizes Bobby Ross Jr. with three first-place awards

By Bobby Ross Jr. I was honored to receive six awards — including first place in three categories — in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists’ annual contest. Winners were announced Saturday night at an awards banquet in Midwest City, recognizing content produced in 2018. (I was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.) The Christian Chronicle and Religion News Service compete in Division … Continue reading Oklahoma SPJ recognizes Bobby Ross Jr. with three first-place awards

Bobby Ross Jr.’s profile of disaster relief truck driver wins first in two national contests

By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — After Hurricane Michael last year, I rode along with a disaster relief truck driver taking emergency supplies from Nashville, Tenn., to hard-hit Panama City, Fla. My “18 wheels and a heart to serve” piece earned a first-place award for personality article at the Evangelical Press Association’s annual convention this week. (UPDATE: The same story won first place for … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr.’s profile of disaster relief truck driver wins first in two national contests