Faith
Local TV news tunes in to spirit of faith

Todd McInturf / The Detroit News Teresa Tomeo advises TV viewers on how to communicate the need for more spiritual stories in broadcasts.

About the event What: "Effectively Communicating Your Faith" seminar.    When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.    Where: First United Methodist Church., 72 Oak, Wyandotte.    Call: (248) 528-2200 or email mailto:ttomeo@worldnet.Att.net

By David Dodd / Special to The Detroit News

    Crime, grime, shootings, murder, mayhem and madness are the standard ingredients of most local television newscasts. But is that a true reflection of what life is all about?
   In defense, some of the noon newscasts will showcase a low-fat recipe, but in general the four to five hours of daily TV news are rarely injected with features on loving family relationships, neighborhood community projects or stories that greatly affect lives in a truly positive fashion.
   One veteran television reporter wants to change that by introducing a few minutes of positive scenarios into local news.
   Teresa Tomeo has spent 19 years pounding the streets of Metro Detroit as a reporter for WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) and WKBD-TV (Channel 50).
   On many occasions, her faith overcame her occupation. "There were just instances where I wouldn't want to do what news directors told me to do," she says from her home in St. Clair Shores.
   "I think people want more balance, they want to see the community covered the way it used to be, with spotlights on faith issues and education, and positive aspects in life."
   From reporter to rejuvenator, Tomeo conducts educational workshops on communicating faith to local broadcasts, with astounding results. Not only have dozens of churches asked her to speak on the subject, but so have a number of secular groups fed up with the negativity of television news.
   She's not speaking in spite, but spirit, for positive change. Her next seminar, Effectively Communicating Your Faith, will be Saturday morning at First United Methodist Church in Wyandotte.
   People really do have the power to make changes, Tomeo says, and she suggests ways for viewers to communicate with television stations, in a positive manner, as opposed to constant complaints.

David Dodd is the author of "Playing it Straight." He can be reached at Doddfaith@aol.com.