What Ash Wednesday can teach journalists about truth and humility - Poynter

"Ash Wednesday begins with a fact. "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Growing up, hearing that phrase in church felt heavy in a way I didn't yet understand. Today, as a faithful Catholic and journalist, it feels simple, clarifying and honest. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season marked by repentance, fasting, reflection and, on Easter Sunday, a celebration of Jesus' resurrection."

"It's an invitation to reflect and remember that none of us is bigger than the truth and God. It's a time to remember that what we do matters, and that our time is limited. It emphasizes confronting our limits, biases and failures. That idea should resonate with journalists. The Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics begins with a clear guideline: Seek truth and report it. It calls journalists to strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and accountability."

"So when Pope Leo XIV released his message for Lent this year, it hit home. He called for three things: deeper listening, fasting from harmful language and stronger relationships with one another. It wasn't abstract. It offered practical guidance and a solid framework that speaks directly to the ethical demands of journalism today. Here are some highlights from the three parts of his message."

Ash Wednesday begins with the reminder "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." It marks the start of Lent, a season of repentance, fasting, reflection, and preparation for Easter and Jesus' resurrection. The ritual of ashes emphasizes human limitation, mortality, humility, and accountability. Journalistic ethics emphasize seeking truth, accuracy, fairness, transparency, and accountability. Calls for deeper listening, abstaining from harmful language, and strengthening relationships present practical, nonabstract guidance that aligns with newsroom responsibilities. Active listening and building trust are framed as foundational to ethical reporting and sustaining public trust.

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