Mark O'Keefe has just been named the new editor of the Religion News Service. O’Keefe once covered religion issues for The Oregonian. The press release announcing his appointment covers some of his more recent work and the role of RNS:
O'Keefe, 43, spent the past four years as a national correspondent covering values and philanthropy for Newhouse News Service, the owner of Religion News Service. In this role, his work appeared in the Newhouse chain's 27 newspapers, as well as regularly on Religion News Service….Religion News Service is the only secular wire service focused exclusively on religion, ethics, spirituality and moral issues. A large worldwide network of correspondents, stringers and columnists delivers syndicated news and opinion daily to more than 100 major daily newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times and USA Today. In addition to such media organizations as Time magazine, Newsweek, ABC Evening News and PBS, hundreds of award-winning magazines, broadcasters, religious publications and Web sites subscribe to the service.
"Religion has never been as important as it is today, and I expect RNS to continue to set the journalistic standard in chronicling its widespread impact," said O'Keefe….
O'Keefe has won numerous awards for his work, including an Overseas Press Club award for human rights reporting and the Religion Communicators Council's Wilbur Award. He is a six-time finalist for the Religion Newswriters Association's Reporter of the Year award….
Often what the media lacks are editors with recent experience working in the field. That won’t be the case with O’Keefe. He knows what it is to be a reporter and will be a great asset to RNS.
