There's been a lot to talk about on the Mormon-media front -- everything from PBS's "Religion and Ethics" coverage of the makeover of Salt Lake's downtown to an independent look at the coverage of Mormons during the Maine same-sex marriage campaign as well as feature stories about the Osmonds and Ainges.

First, let's take a look at coverage of the City Creek Center project. The Mormon Media Observer is usually impressed by the quality, accuracy and fairness that the Religion and Ethics brand carries with it. This time, not so much. Lucky Severson, a broadcast journalist who once worked in the Salt Lake market, interviewed some thinkers and planners about how the LDS Church-owned project might transform downtown. In particular, some are worried an influx of Mormons will change the downtown culture. Some of the statements border on fear-mongering.

Here's a worry from the Blue Iguana restaurant owner: "There's no question in my mind it's going to fundamentally change the nature and the whole culture of that part of downtown. I think primarily their goal is to get a lot of their members here and to gain control of not only the politics, which they already have, and the economy, which they already have, but the atmosphere of the whole downtown."



And another from University of Utah professor Stephen Goldsmith: "The community needs to understand that we do have a certain Vaticanization, if you will, of this end of town. The changing demographics of Salt Lake City, just Salt Lake City by itself, really does create a 'we-they.' There's more of a 'we-they' in this community than I've seen in my lifetime."

I guess the Mormon point of view is supposed to be represented in the report by an LDS store owner and the former editor of Sunstone. That said, I didn't hear any balance from voices explaining the benefits of this project. Instead, there is much speculation and many unanswered questions.

To me, Severson didn't challenge the assumption that if Mormons move in all of the "real fun" will move out. He also didn't confirm whether people buying property in City Creek are necessarily LDS.

Another question is, what's the difference of the private property status of City Creek Center and the malls it replaces? Last time I checked, the U.S. Supreme Court says private property owners control speech and activities in malls unless a state has extended greater speech rights on private property.

Also, has there been any decision made about clubs and entertainment venues in City Creek Center? Could the church take on the Marriott philosophy which accommodates alcohol and entertainment venues despite the faith of its owner? Let's hope Lucky returns to get those answers and complete the report. Hey, he can even come with me to an LDS party. Yes, we do have a lot of fun.

Quick takes

A BYU student editor explains why the recent "promotional stunt" linking gays and handcart pioneers wasn't worth covering.

Analysis of LDS coverage in Maine

Mollie Hemingway takes a look at why the media still blames Mormons in the Maine same-sex marriage coverage, even though the church backed away from a role there.

Donny and Marie

Adoring fans in the U.K. always love to read about the Osmonds. Here's the latest from the Daily Mail.

The Ainges

Both Danny and Austin Ainge are making headlines -- Danny in USA Today and Austin in the Boston Globe.