Sophia Lee wants you to believe all journalists aren’t corrupt. In an age of social media, public outrage, and clickbait, it can be hard to find hope in journalism. Yet, through Sophia’s work at WORLD Magazine, she and others are seeking to embody redemptive journalism, in telling stories that matter and impact others while keeping the dignity of those they’re covering in the crosshairs of all they say, write, and do. In this episode of the CFWLA Podcast, Sophia shares about the folly of her career drivenness, her own battles with perfectionism, and how God has ministered to her in the ways she helps raise media literacy on oft-controversial topics like homelessness and immigration.
SOPHIA BIO
Sophia Lee is a senior reporter for World Magazine, a national evangelical publication. Over the last six years, she's covered a multitude of topics such as mental illness, Hollywood, homelessness, immigration, and abuse in the church. She also writes a weekly column called "Sophia's World" for the World Magazine website.
On Doing Journalism in the Public Square: (3:45-4:42)
“People think that journalism is all about being objective, but that’s not true. There really isn’t genuine objectivity or no bias in journalism. There is always a bias. Even choosing to cover a Pride Festival or look at it from a certain perspective presents a certain angle, and interviewing certain people already reveals that person’s worldview. So for me, coming from a Christian worldview, it’s in stark contrast to the secular worldview. A lot of the secular publications have a certain worldview. For me, as a journalist, with a Christian worldview that’s rooted in what the BIble says, there are going to be some challenges ahead.”
On Navigating Skepticism as a Journalist: (21:00-21:55)
“For me, I am never ever shocked by the depth of human sin. Even if it’s someone who’s a highly-respected Christian leader. I am never shocked by what he or she did in the dark because the BIble is very clear about sin. The bible is very clear that we have an enemy, and the bible is very clear that the world is unjust and filled with brokenness and suffering until Jesus Christ comes back. But there you go: until Jesus comes back. But for me, as much as I am not shocked by people’s sins and darkness, I am also never shocked by the ability to be redeemed.”
On the Ongoing Battle with Pride: (39:29-40:03)
“I can’t just rest on my testimony many years ago. I still have to struggle with my pride. That didn’t completely die. I’m still a human being. So I still daily struggle with trying to bring glory to God and focusing on the glory of God and trying to live out my mission as healthily and obediently as I can.”
