New York Times reporter discusses the ministry of journalism

Ivan Penn shared about culture and accountability.

Hannah Larson, Editor-in-Chief • October 21, 2021

New York Time’s journalist Ivan Penn gives an address for the Celebration of the Arts and Media.

The New York Times energy correspondent Ivan Penn attended a dinner and gave a keynote address as part of the Celebration of Arts and Media to the Department of Digital Journalism and Media faculty, students and visitors about rejecting fear and speaking truth in a culture of greed and power. Penn said the goal of Christians and journalists are the same: to care for culture by telling the truth.

FEAR AND FAITH

During his dinner address, Penn encouraged student journalists not to be paralyzed by fear, but allow themselves to be led by God. He called on students to be courageous and follow God’s direction, rejecting a spirit of fear. Instead of waiting for God to push them out of their comfort zone, Penn directed students to step out in faith.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CULTURE

During his keynote address, Penn described his work as a correspondent seeking truth as a threat to a culture of greed and power. He defined journalism as the mission of holding public figures accountable to those they serve. Penn highlighted Jesus’ example as someone who went counter to cultural norms and held fast to truth.

Penn acknowledged the tension that is present in culture and called for a more informed society that engages with dissonance and disagreements. He said that as a journalist, he wants people to be able to make informed decisions and be aware of problems and disputing views in the world.

JOURNALISM AS MINISTRY

Penn detailed threatening calls and legal tangles that have come about because he has sought to find and report the truth. He recalled asking God to get him out of journalism because of the challenges he was facing. At one point, there were police officers parked outside his home for protection. Looking back on those struggles, Penn came to see his work as a reporter as ministry because he was uncovering the truth.

Penn will be giving an address at the Biola Hour chapel in Sutherland Auditorium on Oct. 22 about journalism as a calling.

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About the Contributor

Hannah Larson, Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Larson is a junior journalism major who loves novels, California redwoods and strawberry smoothies. I was born and raised in San Marcos, a small town in southern California where horses graze in fenced pastures and fields of sunflowers burst into bloom every spring. As much as I love SoCal, there is something special about taking a road trip to see the redwoods up north—you just can’t beat camping along the gorgeous Pacific coast. I started writing for my high school paper when I was a junior and discovered a passion for reporting local news and crafting feature pieces, which drove me to pursue journalism in college. I took a staff writer position with the Chimes news section my sophomore year at Biola and loved seeing an article come together from initial interviews to final edits. The following semester, I joined the team as a news editor and dove into a new world of tight deadlines and investigative research. I look forward to leading The Chimes this year as we move into a new season of print media.