A reporter on a mission
ON THE HILL: David Brody is a political reporter for the Christian Broadcasting Network, and he’s proud of that fact. But he works hard to confound the inevitable stereotypes that arise when one covers politics for an evangelical network run by Pat Robertson. His sharp analysis of the presidential campaign - delivered in a breezy style with a touch of irreverence - has turned CBN into an unlikely go-to source for political junkies. Here, he leaves the Capitol on his way to the CBN studios on Washington’s M Street. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
IN TOUCH: Brody attends a news conference at the Capitol. Very few Christian radio or TV outlets do their own independent reporting; most focus instead on news commentary, talk shows or televangelism. CBN stands out: It has a 60-person news team. The network wants to attract not only Christians, but channel-surfers who might never have intended to watch the Pat Robertson network. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
RITUAL: Brody bows his head in group prayer at the Washington bureau of CBN, where daily prayers are conducted. CBN reporters - who must sign an agreement not to smoke or drink - sometimes talk about their faith on air. Brody took an unlikely path to Christian media. He was raised Jewish, then began attending church with his girlfriend while in college. When they married, he continued to join her on Sundays. In 1988, Brody accepted Christ as his savior. He joined CBN in 2003 as a reporter for The 700 Club, an hour-long show that claims a weekday audience of nearly 1 million. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
NOTEWORTHY: Brody listens to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) during a news conference in Washington. Brody has had warm words for liberals and tough questions for conservatives. His blog, The Brody File, is routinely cited by the mainstream media; it draws about 25,000 page views a month, triple last falls numbers. CBNs stated mission is to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ. Brody sees respectful, balanced coverage as one means of accomplishing that goal. (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
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KEEPING CURRENT: Deep into his morning routine, Brody monitors the news and works on his blog. Brody brings a pop-culture sensibility and cornball sense of humor to CBN. On his blog, hes compared political developments with Britney Spears’ “nasty bald look. Posting a 1994 pledge from Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to work toward gays serving openly in the military, Brody commented: Its at this point that I need to take a break and resuscitate the millions of evangelical Christians who have passed out. As my Jewish mother would say, Oy vey!’” (Carolyn Cole / LAT)
