F and the M

1999 Canada

1999 Provinces

1999 Religions

Notes

The second time period analyzed was 21 - 28 March 1999. What was being reported across the country, not just on the 'religion' pages, but throughout our newspapers? (You may also be interested in seeing a similar summary for the 21 - 28 February period.)

There has yet to be a single issue of the newspapers studied which does not contain some reference to religion.

Where in the world? Arts & Entertainment News Sports Religion

Stories that were judged to be mainly about religion, originated from the following places:

Here are some of the highlights of stories which incorporated religious material:

Roberto Benigni's film Life is Beautiful wins big at the Oscars. Set in a concentration camp, and focusing on an Italian Jew's attempts to make the horrific experience bearable for his son, the film won for best foreign film, best dramatic score and Benigni won for best actor.

Another Oscar winner, Canadian director Norman Jewison said of himself: "I'm no spoonfed idealist. I'm a Canadian Methodist." [Canadian Press, Times Colonist, 21 March 99]

NATO involvement in Kosovo prompted reporting on Orthodox Christianity, with various commentaries not only on the religious makeup of the area (and its history of Orthodox monasteries), but also the religious links between Serbs and Russians. There were also concerns expressed about aid coming to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) from "Islamic fundamentalists" in Iran. Pictures of fleeing ethnic Albanians prompt comparisons with Jews fleeing and being shipped to concentration camps during the Second World War, and several stories compare Kosovo's significance to Serbs as being like Jerusalem to the Jews.

The legal battle over cancer treatment for young Tyrell Dueck results in an order to have chemotherapy and amputation, but the boy's condition worsens, and his Saskatchewan family ends up being able to take him to Mexico for alternative therapy. Their religious denomination is not mentioned, outside of being Christians (sometimes 'fundamentalist'), but their faith is almost always referred to with reference to their decision for treatment.

A Macedonian Orthodox priest, Father Ilce Miovski, was killed when a car being pursued by Toronto police hit him. His death, and the following funeral were heavily covered by the Toronto media.

Allan Boesak, one of the most visible personalities during the anti-apartheid struggle, was sentenced to six years in prison for theft of funds intended for children who had been victims of apartheid. Boesak had once been a Reform Church minister, and former president of the World Alliance of Reformed churches.

Hillary and Chelsea Clinton take a trip to Cairo and North Africa, visiting many mosques, and appearing veiled.

John Paul Roby, on trial in Toronto for sexual assaults committed while he was an usher at Maple Leaf Gardens, testified that he had once wanted to be "a priest, a bishop, a Pope," but that these dreams were destroyed when he was sexually assaulted by a priest while an altarboy.

In discussing the merits of the 'final four' U.S. college basketball playoffs, Conneticut's point-guard Khalid El-Amin was described as having a 'toughness rooted in his Orthodox Muslim faith.' [Edmonton Journal, 27 March 99, D5]

The number of pieces dealing specifically with religion increases over that of February (2151 in March, compared to 1863 in March). This is due in part to the occurence of Passover, the hajj, and Easter, celebrations which all get considerable coverage, ranging from recipes for lamb and matzoh, to descriptions of gatherings of local Muslim communities. There was also controversy during the hajj, when Iraq ordered its pilgrims home from Mecca.

A Pennsylvania man named God in a lawsuit, accusing God of failing to bring him success in proceedings against a former employer, failing to return his youth, and failing to give him guitar-playing skills. God was also accused of neglecting to resurrect the man's mother and his pet pigeon. A U.S. District judge threw out the case for being frivolous.

The Pope announced that he hoped to visit the Holy Land during 2000 to celebrate the millennium. The visit would be the first by a pope in over 30 years. A CD called Abba Pater, was also released, featuring Pope John Paul II speaking in five languages on 11 tracks about charity, forgiveness and reconciliation.

A Christian television broadcaster proclaims that his fillings have been turned to gold by means of divine intervention. He has to retract the statement when his dentist politely claims the credit.

Another television personality is charged with fraud and pretending to practice witchcraft. The man, who gave astrological advice as part of a program aired on Vision TV, was charged after receiving exorbitant sums of money from a woman who was seeking his assistance.

The Vatican issued De Exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam: on exorcism. The document is not media friendly: "The other main novelty in the manual is a media blackout. The new rules stipulate that 'the presence of media representatives during an exorcism is not allowed under any circumstances.'" - John Hooper , Scripps Howard News service in Okanagan Saturday (Kelowna Daily Courier), 27 March 99

Rev. Bill Phipps, moderator of the United Church, stirred controversy saying Canadians should pay their taxes 'joyfully.' This statement is mocked by various editorial writers.

To see some of the data collected last year, please consult the 1998 Faith and the Media results  page .

As the scan continues, the data available here will be updated, so stay tuned!