ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the similarities and differences between religion and journalism under secularization. Drawing on Robert Bellah’s theory of religion in human evolution, the features of modern post-enlightenment religion is compared to the development of journalism. Enlightenment marks a shift from the historical to the early modern period, which also changes the role of religion in public affairs from direct influence on government to the formulation of ideas that encourage the exchange of public opinion for the sake of a better society. From the late nineteenth century, the news paradigm is slowly emerging, and by the early twentieth century journalism has emerged as a corporate identity with a self-conscious ethic of objectivity. Today, both traditional religion and the traditional mainstream media have witnessed an increasing competition and pluralization whether we call it religious diversity or media diversity. The individual (believer or citizen) has more choice than ever. When seeing secularization as a decline in authority, then both religion and journalism have been secularized. Various religious and journalist elites are today working on the appropriate ways to remain relevant and reclaim authority. The chapter examines mindful journalism as such an attempt.
