contrapositive

UNDERSTANDING AMERICA Most of the recommendations handed down by The New York Times' "credibility" panel are relatively mundane: Reduce the number of factual errors, limit the use of anonymous sources, make it easier for readers to e-mail writers.

But one of the recommendations sticks out:

The committee also recommended that the paper "increase our coverage of religion in America."

The implicit criticism of the paper's religion coverage is valid--and not just about The Times. Knowledgeable, careful coverage of religion is rare across the entire elite media.

The good news: The May issue of Harper's magazine--available offline only--does its bit to fill the void. Over a pair of long, extensively-reported articles, the magazine puts conservative Christianity under the microscope.

The issue's worth picking up if you come across it.