Get Religion just posted that Beliefnet has been acquired by Fox Entertainment.
From Beliefnet’s about us page
For us, the formula is pretty simple: editorial decisions must not be dictated by advertisers. Our first responsibility is to our readers and we make our editorial decisions based on what we think users will want.
That is very good to hear. It seems that the best case scenario is that Beliefnet will improve as a resource for those seeking answers.
“FEG’s vast resources will enable Beliefnet to expand our audience, enhance our offerings and more effectively carry out our mission to help people find and walk a spiritual path that brings comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness,” said Steven Waldman, Beliefnet’s CEO, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder.This quotation from the press release is concerning though:
The Faith and Spirituality market is strong and continues to grow. According to the Pew Internet Project, over 82 million Americans and 64% of all Internet users utilize the Web for faith-related matters. In addition, a division of Marketresearch.com put the demand for religious and spiritually-oriented materials like books, DVDs, software, etc. at well beyond $8 billion.Religion and money rarely mix well, history is rather clear on that account. So, to take the discussion outside of the Beliefnet and Fox realm: is it possible for unbiased religious commentary (of all kinds, not just Christian) to happen when the bills are being paid by someone else? I’m really wondering what you have to think, I haven’t made up my mind. In a way, we’re all part of the larger economic world so even those of us doing “ministry” are on the payola somewhere down the line.
Anyway, your thoughts?
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December 5, 2007 at 08:54
Don’t know why these immediately came to mind, but Zondervan and VeggieTales (Big Idea) are among those which were started by Christians and later were taken over by outside business interests.
I’ve seen some things I like as a result of the big money influence, and some things I don’t.
I’m stradding the fence, too, Chris. My idealistic side says we need to remain untainted by “the world.” On the other hand, good business people know there is a “market” for solid biblical resources (and, yes, entertainment).
December 5, 2007 at 10:55
I’d honestly be rather surprised if Beliefnet changed too much immediately. Changes often happen over degrees. I can’t say for certain, but I’m reasonably sure that Zondervan and Big Idea didn’t really want to switch their business interests. It’s just gets hard when your employees have “extra mouths” to feed.
December 5, 2007 at 11:57
So now, Fox gets to determine in what direction Beliefnet should go. I agree with Chris that the change will come in “degrees”. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve seen the influence of a bigger corporation buying a smaller one and changing the direction of the said company.
December 5, 2007 at 12:16
Just to be clear, Fox will not be sitting there with a rubber stamp in front of a supplicant Beliefnet staff. And if you check on Beliefnet’s about page they list their current partners, none of which are getting product placement in the actual meat of their site. The merger/buy-out/whatever will change the advertising you see on their site, that’s for certain. After that? Who knows.
The beautiful thing about the internet is that if somehow people at Fox co-opt Beliefnet for their own politicking, everyone has the option of not going to the site anymore.
December 7, 2007 at 17:20
I think that Fox’s acquisition of Beliefnet will cause a stir among the more liberal minded members of the forum, who don’t want Fox’s intrusion into their protected dicussions. They fear that Fox will run the forum into the ground, and other multifaith websites such as “beliefcorner” will grow as a result.