This past October, students, alumni, and friends filled the Robert Duvall Theatre at McVay Center for the Performing Arts for important conversation and timely insights at the 25th Monitor Night Live. Joined by more than 1,000 virtual participants worldwide, all came seeking answers. At the front of the theatre, Christian Science Monitor Editor Christa Case Bryant (C’03) moderated a panel featuring fellow journalists Stephanie Hanes, Stephen Humphries, and Taylor Luck. Together, they explored the question on everyone’s mind: how to stay informed without getting discouraged by the news.
The event, titled “Above the Fray: How to Heal the Divide, Think Critically, and Love the News,” centered on topics such as the relevance of journalistic objectivity, the duty of journalists in today’s polarized environment, and The Christian Science Monitor's role in it all.
“We’re here tonight to talk about the higher purpose in journalism,” said Bryant. “If you look at the state of the news media today, it’s searching for that higher purpose. I feel so fortunate to work for a place that has such a clear statement of purpose, as given by Mary Baker Eddy when she founded it in 1908.”
Monitor journalists shared stories and insights on navigating alarmist news headlines and maintaining objectivity amid divisive issues, reiterating their commitment to the standard of fairness, objectivity, and a great sense of love for their sources and readers—helping lift people above the tug of war to find a higher perspective.
“As a journalist, I never take a side, but I always take a stand—for justice, for life, and fairness,” shared Middle East Correspondent Luck. “I feel it’s important for us to be neutral referees, and not to declare a side, no matter what our personal values are. The world is full of partisans and activists, but very short on referees.”
“It all comes down to: Can we encourage readers to love their neighbor?” added Humphries. “That’s something everyone should be able to rally around. We’re on the side of humanity and want to see peace and love. It’s not being Pollyannaish. You don’t want to create a false picture, but you also want to look for those genuine moments where we see good in operation and bring those to light.”
In celebration of the event’s 25th anniversary, former Monitor editors David Cook (US’65, C’69) and Marshall Ingwerson (C’79)—also a former Principia Chief Executive—were in attendance and each posed a question to the panelists. Joining them was Martha Moffett, CSB (HON’97), wife of former Monitor Editor, Monitor Night Live founder, and Principia College president from 1996–2007, Dr. George Moffett (C’65). She opened the Q&A portion, reflecting on Dr. Moffett’s vision for this event. “When George started this evening, he wanted students to get together with the Monitor, because he thought students should love the world and understand its complexities—but also its opportunities—in order to be able to pray for it and make a difference.”
After questions from the distinguished guests, students from the College’s Center of Narrative, Meaning, and Media posed their own. Topics ranged from how to bridge the political divide, handling fear in covering and reporting events, whether journalism is at risk in America, and how the Monitor chooses what stories to cover in its effort to bring light to issues.
“[The Monitor] wants to help lift people above the ideological tug of war,” said Bryant. “We aren’t following fear. The Monitor is a news organization that is purely about what is good for our readers and for humanity. How do we build this sense of love and connection? If we can all unite around this idea that we as individuals need to get above the fray and be undivided in our understanding that discernment, honesty, and curiosity are needed—then we can help in a much broader way. Let’s find a place where we can all get a higher perspective.”