Jonathan Morris - TVNewser

Covering a Once-Every-600-Years Story

Chris Ariens — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:04:57 +0000

Unprecedented in modern times, the Papal departure was covered by a thoroughly modern media. From the complex (multiple live cameras and locations) to the simple (Twitter.)

As Pope Benedict XVI began his final day as the leader of the Roman Catholic church, the broadcast networks produced special reports early this morning, while the cablers went into rolling coverage for much of the morning. CBS broke in for their special report at 10:44amET as Benedict departed for the final time. ABC and NBC followed at 10:53 and FOX at 11:02am. Vatican TV provided a multi-camera, multi-vehicle production which was carried by all the networks. From the Papal residence, through the Hills of Rome to an awaiting helicopter, and the short flight to Castel Gandolfo, cameras followed, anchors commented, priests analyzed. As Norah O’Donnell explained on CBS, “19 high definition cameras carefully choreographed so that we can see this historic moment.”

On cable news, we saw the pairing of Chris Cuomo and Erin Burnett, perhaps a sign of things to come for CNN mornings. (As the Papal departure was unfolding, Jeff Zucker was introducing the new EP of the morning show, veteran producer Jim Murphy). On MSNBC, the news fell in Chris Jansing‘s hour. A veteran of Papal coverage, Jansing will return to Rome for the Conclave. Fox News had Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum anchoring in New York while Fr. Jonathan Morris, who has been with Fox since shortly after Benedict became Pope, gave analysis from Rome.

By 11:50am, the broadcast networks had returned to regular programming and by Noon the cable networks moved on to the other news of the day.

And as he was being driven away from the Vatican for the final time, a Tweet was sent from @pontifex, the Pope’s Twitter account:

Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives.

— Benedict XVI (@Pontifex) February 28, 2013

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Pope Benedict Coverage: Fox News

Alex Weprin — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:04:46 +0000

Fox News will kick off its coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation on “Fox & Friends First” at 5 AM.

London-based correspondent Amy Kellogg and FNC contributor Father Jonathan Morris will be reporting live from The Vatican. Lauren Green and other contributors will be providing updates throughout the day, with the obligatory live coverage of the press conferences and the formal departure.

In addition, FNC says that Shepard Smith will be traveling to Rome to cover the Conclave and inauguration, which will take place sometime next month.

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Early Morning Cable Coverage of Beatification of Pope John Paul II

Chris Ariens — Sun, 01 May 2011 10:44:15 +0000

As many of the newsers attending this year’s White House correspondents dinner — and after parties — were calling it a night, in Rome, the cable news networks were just getting going, covering the Mass for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Chris Jansing (left, with analysts George Weigel and Fr. Robert Barron), who’d anchored coverage of the Royal Wedding Friday and flew to Rome yesterday, began MSNBC’s coverage just before 4amET. On Fox News, Jamie Colby and Eric Shawn anchored from New York beginning at 4am, with religion correspondent Lauren Green and Fr. Jonathan Morris in Rome. CNN/U.S. and CNNI simulcast the Mass with Jon Mann anchoring in Atlanta and correspondent Jim Bitterman and Vatican analyst and author John Allen in Rome.

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Network Plans for Pope John Paul II Beatification

Chris Ariens — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:28:52 +0000

While the U.S. networks have big plans for next Friday’s royal wedding (or hadn’t you heard), a mere 48 hours and 1,100 miles away in Vatican City another big event will unfold: the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Beatification is the first step to Sainthood.

FNC will carry the Beatification Mass beginning at 4amET Sunday, May 1. Jamie Colby and Eric Shawn will anchor the Mass from New York while religion correspondent Lauren Green will report from Vatican City. Rome-based correspondent Greg Burke will report and FNC analyst Father Jonathan Morris makes a return to Rome to contribute.

MSNBC’s Chris Jansing who will be covering the royal wedding, travels from London to Rome Saturday morning and will begin appearing on MSNBC Saturday. Jansing will anchor live coverage of the Beatification Mass beginning at 4amET. She’ll be joined NBC’s Vatican analyst and author George Weigel and Vatican Art Historian Liz Lev. Jansing covered the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Benedict XVI in 2005.

CNN/U.S. and CNNI will broadcast the Mass Sunday with Jon Mann anchoring. Jim Bitterman will be the correspondent at the Vatican and author John Allen will provide analysis. CNN en Espanol will cover with Jose Levy.

ABC’s David Wright is the correspondent for TV and other platforms. ABCNews.com will live stream the Mass with ABC News San Francisco-based producer Ariane Nalty reporting. (Interesting note: Nalty’s brother is Monsignor Christopher Nalty who worked at the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy. Ariane’s father-in-law is Charles Zewe a former correspondent for CNN).

NBC’s Anne Thompson and CBS’s Allen Pizzey will report for their networks.

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