What's missing from most of the news reporting about the Proposition 8 backlash is equal time and space to the value of a spiritual motivation that underpins the support for the sacred institution of marriage.

It seems most reporters who are writing about the Proposition 8 backlash tend to focus on the easy story. People protest in front of a temple that provides a good photo and video. They gather some quotes, get a couple of comments from the local Mormon spokesman to "balance" the story and hit the send button to the editor.

Maybe journalists are either too squeamish or not sophisticated enough to write about the religious perspective. Maybe it is not politically correct. However, what could more politically correct than the majority will in an election? Once again, journalists have a hard time writing about matters of faith.

It most cases, the loudest voices are getting to frame the ongoing story as Mormon "bigotry." Is that good journalism? Is not a religious perspective about the divine nature of the family and marriage just as valid and acknowledged in balanced reporting?  Also, where are the voices of outrage if churches of any faith or synagogues become the forums of protest and vandalism. Instead, the media focuses its cameras on Whoopi Goldberg in the crowd outside the Manhattan temple to give such protests the stamp of celebrity approval.

Good journalism also looks at the bigger picture about resolution and compromise. In some refreshing coverage, the Christian Science Monitor broached these issues in a recent story.

"Even in the heat of protests, however, both sides reveal a nuanced empathy for the opposition beyond what the placards, robo-calls, and TV ads might suggest. The challenge, say some leaders and experts, is to build on that by opening up dialogue and avenues for compromise. I think it's really important ... not to let this become a claim that Mormons are the reason for everything that went wrong, on the one hand, or one that falls into a knee-jerk 'This is just anti-Mormonism' reaction. Because each of those are toxic," Sarah Gordon, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the Monitor.

The Monitor continues: "While outsiders impute many motives to the LDS church, the obvious, important one remains religious belief. 'The faith itself is based on concepts of salvation within the family and a very committed pro-natalism,' says Gordon.

"Arguably, marriage marks the most important faith moment for a Mormon."

Journalists are also too willing to buy into "gays vs. Mormons" theme for much of their reporting. This simplistic framing makes for an easy journalistic report, but ignores reality of a much wider coalition of support for Prop. 8. While Mormons make up only 2 percent of California's population, the church has become a visible and easy target, particularly because of the latent prejudice in America against the faith.

Thankfully, AP's religion reporter Eric Gorsky did a national wire story examining what one source called "selective indignation" against Latter-day Saints.

It is interesting that The San Francisco Chronicle told the back story of how Mormons were drawn into Prop. 8. and showed the measure's broader appeal to those who attend church.

The Chronicle has allowed some Mormon response here.

Tracy L. Hickman wrote: "In short, had Mormons been the only ones to vote yes, and not all LDS members voted yes, Prop. 8 would have lost in a landslide. Many members of my church in California joined millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation in voting for Prop. 8. We exercised the most sacred and individual rights in the United States for which many people have given their lives -- that of free expression through voting.

"I deeply worry that by standing up for my religion, I may jeopardize relationships with gay friends. Yet I call on those same friends to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subjected to torment for having voted their conscience. Those who disagree with Prop. 8 have the right to express that view, but it is wrong to take aim at our churches and our sacred places of worship because of those beliefs. Would this be tolerated in our society if it happened at a synagogue or a mosque?"

Post script: One reader wrote a few weeks ago suggesting I stop "whining" about the media and take up other topics. Well, as the column's name suggests, I consider myself an observer and critic of all things that involve the media and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the record, the media criticism will continue; that's what this column is all about.