# 9-22-2023 - Looming Government Shutdown, Rupert Murdoch Retires, Writer’s Strike Hope

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 22 Sep 2023, 15 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/daff6250-c8f9-4487-b9a6-b4d700070b83/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your Daily Christian news and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • We have a looming government shutdown on our hands. What does that mean for the everyday American? • Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old chair of Fox, steps down. • There’s some promising progress in Hollywood strike negotiations. Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but
[0:03] Speaker 1: in the multitude of counselors, there is victory. Proverbs 11, 14.
[0:09] Speaker 1: Dear Heavenly Father, in our lives and in our communities,
[0:12] Speaker 1: may we seek the wisdom and counsel of those who
[0:14] Speaker 1: walk closely with you. Grant us the humility to recognize
[0:18] Speaker 1: that we don't have all the answers and guide us
[0:20] Speaker 1: to consult with others in decisions big and small. Help
[0:25] Speaker 1: us to be discerning in choosing mentors and advisors. looking
[0:28] Speaker 1: for those who reflect your wisdom and love. Let our
[0:32] Speaker 1: leaders see godly counsel as well, so that our communities
[0:35] Speaker 1: may be strong and just, built upon a firm foundation,
[0:39] Speaker 1: reflecting your kingdom here on earth. Thank you, Lord, for
[0:43] Speaker 1: the safety and guidance that comes through wisdom, both divine
[0:47] Speaker 1: and human. In the strong name of Jesus we pray, amen.
[0:52] Speaker 1: Welcome to Pray News, where hope is our only bias.
[0:55] Speaker 1: Today's news at a glance, we have a looming government
[0:57] Speaker 1: shutdown on our hands. What does that mean for the
[1:00] Speaker 1: everyday American? Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old chair of Fox, steps down.
[1:05] Speaker 1: And there's some promising progress in the Hollywood strike negotiations.
[1:09] Speaker 1: The Bible is swift to remind us that none are righteous.
[1:12] Speaker 1: We are all imperfect people in need of a savior.
[1:15] Speaker 1: Praise God that he came and died for us. Otherwise,
[1:18] Speaker 1: we would all be lost. Whenever we offer criticism of leaders,
[1:22] Speaker 1: it's always through that lens. Hopefully, we grow for the better,
[1:25] Speaker 1: and through the truth of God's word and accountability to
[1:28] Speaker 1: the people around us, we make progress every day. It's
[1:31] Speaker 1: not that we will ever be sinless, but perhaps by
[1:34] Speaker 1: the grace of God and by the power of God,
[1:36] Speaker 1: we will sin less. As we offer critiques and feedback
[1:39] Speaker 1: about leaders, remember that we do so with compassion and hope,
[1:43] Speaker 1: that we can all rise to be better today than
[1:45] Speaker 1: we were yesterday. We're glad you're here. We pray today's
[1:48] Speaker 1: news leaves you informed and transformed. If you've been enjoying
[1:52] Speaker 1: Prey News, consider leaving us a review. We would love
[1:54] Speaker 1: to hear your feedback. Before we get into today's first story,
[1:59] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. Amid rising tensions
[2:02] Speaker 1: and ongoing political discord, the White House has recently issued
[2:06] Speaker 1: a stark warning about the threat of an imminent government shutdown.
[2:09] Speaker 1: In a week dominated by President Biden's diplomatic activities in
[2:13] Speaker 1: New York, lawmakers back in Washington, D.C. find themselves ensnared
[2:17] Speaker 1: in partisan tangles. which, if not sorted out soon, could
[2:20] Speaker 1: have a disastrous consequence for the American people. The White
[2:23] Speaker 1: House aimed at extreme House Republicans, citing their insistence on
[2:27] Speaker 1: a gamut of divisive issues as a condition to keep
[2:30] Speaker 1: the government running. Accusing them of being consumed by chaos,
[2:34] Speaker 1: the administration highlighted that a shutdown would negatively impact various sectors,
[2:38] Speaker 1: from the economy to national security alike. As the government's
[2:42] Speaker 1: funding deadline of September 30th approaches, the House Republicans, who
[2:46] Speaker 1: currently hold a majority, are sharply divided. The more conservative
[2:50] Speaker 1: members of the party are in strong opposition to a
[2:53] Speaker 1: proposed plan that was agreed upon by Biden and the
[2:55] Speaker 1: more moderate members of the Republican base. This plan also
[2:59] Speaker 1: faces little chance of passing in the Democrat-controlled Senate. House
[3:03] Speaker 1: Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus
[3:07] Speaker 1: are also engaged in talks to find an alternative path.
[3:11] Speaker 1: So what's at stake here with the government shutdown? The
[3:13] Speaker 1: repercussions of a government shutdown could be severe. Here's a
[3:16] Speaker 1: list of a few things that happened during a government shutdown.
[3:19] Speaker 1: One is active duty military and federal law enforcement personnel
[3:23] Speaker 1: could be forced to work without pay. Two, FEMA's disaster
[3:26] Speaker 1: relief fund could be depleted, hampering disaster relief efforts. Three,
[3:30] Speaker 1: 10,000 children may lose access to Head Start programs. Four,
[3:34] Speaker 1: air traffic controllers and TSA officers would work without pay,
[3:38] Speaker 1: potentially causing travel delays. And five, food safety inspections could
[3:42] Speaker 1: also be delayed. Those are five of several areas that
[3:44] Speaker 1: are affected when a government shuts down. Now, what is
[3:47] Speaker 1: a government shutdown exactly? A government shutdown occurs when Congress
[3:51] Speaker 1: fails to pass appropriation bills, essentially halting all non-essential federal
[3:55] Speaker 1: government operations until a consensus is reached. Federal employees are
[4:00] Speaker 1: furloughed and various government facilities, such as national parks, close.
[4:04] Speaker 1: Programs like food stamps could also be halted. And the
[4:06] Speaker 1: severity of economic impact varies depending on the duration of
[4:10] Speaker 1: the shutdown. Now, some people confuse government shutdowns with debt
[4:13] Speaker 1: ceiling crises. We recently went through a potential threat of
[4:17] Speaker 1: a debt ceiling crisis a few months ago. While both
[4:20] Speaker 1: are outcomes of political discord, they are different in terms
[4:23] Speaker 1: of gravity of impact. Government shutdowns involve halting non-essential government operations.
[4:29] Speaker 1: Some federal employees work without pay but are reimbursed later on.
[4:33] Speaker 1: Debt ceiling crisis is far more disastrous. This occurs when
[4:36] Speaker 1: the U.S. can't pay its debts, affecting global market and
[4:40] Speaker 1: damaging the country's creditworthiness. In these trying times, it's useful
[4:44] Speaker 1: to reflect on the biblical concept of unity and wise governance.
[4:48] Speaker 1: Proverbs 11.14 says, where there is no guidance, a people fail,
[4:52] Speaker 1: but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety. As
[4:55] Speaker 1: lawmakers grapple with pressing issues, may they be guided by
[4:59] Speaker 1: wisdom and a commitment to the greater good. setting aside
[5:02] Speaker 1: partisan interests for the nation's and the people's welfare. So,
[5:06] Speaker 1: with all of this being said, let's lift this story
[5:08] Speaker 1: up in prayer. Heavenly Father, in this moment of political
[5:11] Speaker 1: discord and uncertainty, we pray for wisdom and unity among
[5:15] Speaker 1: our leaders. May they be guided by a sense of
[5:17] Speaker 1: responsibility and justice for all people, not just certain partisan members,
[5:22] Speaker 1: especially those who will be most affected by the government shutdown.
[5:25] Speaker 1: Help our leaders to put aside partisan interests and work
[5:27] Speaker 1: towards a fair resolution for the greater good. We pray
[5:30] Speaker 1: all these things with trust. In Jesus' name, amen. Rupert Murdoch,
[5:35] Speaker 1: now 92 years old, has announced his decision to step
[5:38] Speaker 1: down as chair of Fox and News Corp, marking the
[5:41] Speaker 1: culmination of a seven-decade career. The media mogul's influence has
[5:45] Speaker 1: been as pervasive as it has been polarizing, reaching corners
[5:49] Speaker 1: of the earth through an empire encompassing news, entertainment, and
[5:52] Speaker 1: much more. Rupert Murdoch's legacy is undeniable. From a humble
[5:56] Speaker 1: start with a small Australian newspaper business, Murdoch has amassed
[5:59] Speaker 1: an unparalleled portfolio. From acquiring esteemed publications like the Times
[6:04] Speaker 1: of London and the Wall Street Journal to launching Fox
[6:06] Speaker 1: Network on the backbone of iconic franchises like the Simpsons
[6:10] Speaker 1: and the NFL, Murdoch's reach has been as broad as
[6:13] Speaker 1: it is deep. He also founded Fox News in 1996,
[6:17] Speaker 1: quickly overtaking CNN in ratings and becoming a dominant voice
[6:20] Speaker 1: in conservative politics. Furthermore, his pursuits in the UK, including
[6:25] Speaker 1: pay TV giant Sky, have further expanded his footprint in
[6:29] Speaker 1: international media. Murdoch's knack for seizing opportunities is commendable. He
[6:34] Speaker 1: has been willing to take risks, buck trends, and challenge
[6:37] Speaker 1: the status quo. This daring approach has been especially evident
[6:40] Speaker 1: in his commercial dealings. For example, Murdoch was ahead of
[6:43] Speaker 1: the curve when he sold a significant portion of 21st
[6:46] Speaker 1: Century Fox to Disney for $ 71 billion, a move many
[6:50] Speaker 1: saw as prescient. given the difficulties that later befell many
[6:54] Speaker 1: entertainment giants. However, the mogul's career hasn't been without its blemishes.
[7:00] Speaker 1: One of the most significant is in the 1990 debt
[7:02] Speaker 1: crisis that nearly bankrupted his empire. More recently, Murdoch faced
[7:06] Speaker 1: a scandal over phone hacking by reporters at one of
[7:09] Speaker 1: his UK papers. Moreover, his news outlet, Fox News, agreed
[7:13] Speaker 1: to pay $ 787. 5 million to settle a defamation lawsuit with
[7:14] Speaker 1: Dominion Voting Systems. raising questions about journalistic ethics within the company.
[7:23] Speaker 1: Not to mention the sexual harassment allegations brought against him
[7:26] Speaker 1: and his son several times. Perhaps the most substantial criticism
[7:30] Speaker 1: against Murdoch is his undue influence on public discourse. His
[7:34] Speaker 1: ownership of multiple influential platforms has led to concerns about
[7:38] Speaker 1: the centralization of media power. Critics say that Fox News,
[7:41] Speaker 1: for example, has contributed to a decline in the quality
[7:44] Speaker 1: of American political discourse and added to the nation's growing polarization.
[7:49] Speaker 1: Murdoch's media empire, particularly Fox News, highlights the divisive nature
[7:53] Speaker 1: of modern media. The rise of hyper-partisan news outlets, not
[7:57] Speaker 1: just Fox, but its counterpoint CNN, has significantly contributed to
[8:01] Speaker 1: the divisions we see today. These outlets often offer less
[8:04] Speaker 1: of a balanced news perspective and more of a platform
[8:07] Speaker 1: for reinforcing viewers' pre-existing beliefs. As media outlets lean into
[8:11] Speaker 1: partisan reporting, the middle ground is eroded. people increasingly view
[8:15] Speaker 1: their fellow citizens through the lens of political tribes rather
[8:18] Speaker 1: than as neighbors and community members. This is an issue
[8:21] Speaker 1: that extends beyond Murdoch and is a profound challenge that
[8:23] Speaker 1: modern society needs to confront. From a Christian viewpoint, the
[8:27] Speaker 1: complexities of Rupert Murdoch's legacy offer a cautionary tale about
[8:31] Speaker 1: the impact one individual can have, for better or worse,
[8:34] Speaker 1: on the world. As we navigate the media landscape, it's
[8:36] Speaker 1: crucial to remember, as believers, the principles of truth, love,
[8:40] Speaker 1: and unity. In a world rife with division, the role
[8:43] Speaker 1: of media should ideally be one of honest storytelling that
[8:46] Speaker 1: aims to bridge gaps rather than widen them. While Rupert
[8:50] Speaker 1: Murdoch's career displays instances of innovation and keen business acumen,
[8:54] Speaker 1: it also serves as a reminder to consume and produce
[8:57] Speaker 1: media that aligns with these principles of truth, justice, love,
[9:00] Speaker 1: and integrity. The Bible says in Philippians 4.8, Finally, brothers
[9:04] Speaker 1: and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
[9:07] Speaker 1: whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— If
[9:10] Speaker 1: anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. As
[9:14] Speaker 1: consumers of news, let this be the lens by which
[9:17] Speaker 1: we view the media, always seeking truth and striving for
[9:20] Speaker 1: a more hopeful and unified society, where perhaps hope is
[9:24] Speaker 1: our primary bias. As Murdoch steps away from his role,
[9:28] Speaker 1: the world will be watching to see how his media
[9:30] Speaker 1: empire evolves under new leadership. Whether it will move towards
[9:33] Speaker 1: a more balanced and unifying approach or continue down its
[9:36] Speaker 1: current path remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though.
[9:39] Speaker 1: The choices made by media titans like Murdoch have far-reaching
[9:42] Speaker 1: consequences and ripple effects that reach everybody. As consumers, let's
[9:46] Speaker 1: be vigilant, discerning, and guided by our values in everything
[9:49] Speaker 1: we do and everything we consume. With all this being said,
[9:52] Speaker 1: let's lift this story up in prayer. Dear Lord, as
[9:55] Speaker 1: we contemplate the legacy of Rupert Murdoch and the media
[9:58] Speaker 1: empire he leaves behind, we ask for wisdom and discernment
[10:01] Speaker 1: in how we consume and interpret news. May new leadership
[10:04] Speaker 1: in this platform strive for integrity, truth, and a balance
[10:08] Speaker 1: that fosters unity rather than division. Let us as consumers
[10:12] Speaker 1: be guided by values that align with principles of truth, love,
[10:14] Speaker 1: and community. It's in Jesus' name we pray and hope. Amen.
[10:19] Speaker 1: As the Writers Guild of America strike approaches a record-breaking
[10:22] Speaker 1: 142 days, its repercussions are felt not just by the
[10:26] Speaker 1: writers and studio executives, but by an entire ecosystem of
[10:30] Speaker 1: workers often overlooked in Hollywood headlines. On a hopeful note,
[10:33] Speaker 1: the industry watched cautiously as significant players, including CEOs of Disney, Netflix,
[10:38] Speaker 1: and NBCUniversal and Warner Bros., sat at the bargaining table
[10:42] Speaker 1: this Wednesday. These high-level involvements signal a potential breakthrough in
[10:46] Speaker 1: an otherwise gridlocked situation. The WGA is currently battling over
[10:51] Speaker 1: issues that would set industry standards for years to come.
[10:54] Speaker 1: Among the hotly debated topics that they're striking over are
[10:57] Speaker 1: residual payments for streaming platforms and minimum staffing levels for
[11:00] Speaker 1: writing rooms. The WGA is asking for a residual formula
[11:04] Speaker 1: based on the number of views each show receives online,
[11:07] Speaker 1: which would revolutionize writers' pay in an era of streaming.
[11:10] Speaker 1: They also demand minimum staffing levels to ensure job security
[11:13] Speaker 1: and fair treatment. However, the Alliance of Motion Picture and
[11:17] Speaker 1: Television Producers has largely been reluctant to concede these points.
[11:21] Speaker 1: This has resulted in a kind of stalemate. This has
[11:24] Speaker 1: resulted in a kind of stalemate. But with top CEOs
[11:27] Speaker 1: becoming more personally involved, there may be a renewed hope
[11:31] Speaker 1: for compromise. Wednesday's meeting concluded with a rare joint statement
[11:35] Speaker 1: from both sides. Chris Kaiser, a co-chair of the WGA
[11:39] Speaker 1: Negotiation Committee, spoke at length about the union's needs. Encouragingly,
[11:44] Speaker 1: the talks are set to continue today, with all four
[11:46] Speaker 1: CEOs expected to return. While no agreement has been reached,
[11:50] Speaker 1: the involvement of industry heavyweights marks a significant shift in
[11:53] Speaker 1: dynamics and injects hope into the dire situation. The actors' union, SAG-AFTRA,
[11:58] Speaker 1: has also been on strike for 69 days, focusing on
[12:01] Speaker 1: similar issues as the WGA, such as streaming residuals and
[12:04] Speaker 1: minimum pay hikes. Their struggle illustrates that the challenges facing
[12:08] Speaker 1: the WGA are systematic issues in the entertainment industry that
[12:11] Speaker 1: impact all who are a part of it, from A-listers
[12:14] Speaker 1: to the crew. As the strike looms, a spotlight must
[12:17] Speaker 1: shine on the vast network of behind-the-scenes professionals that make
[12:21] Speaker 1: the magic of Hollywood possible. Camera operators, set designers, editors,
[12:25] Speaker 1: and many others have been left without work, not just
[12:28] Speaker 1: for days or weeks, but months. While our attention often
[12:32] Speaker 1: gravitates towards stars and marquee names, the industry relies on
[12:36] Speaker 1: a battalion of people in roles less glamorous but no
[12:39] Speaker 1: less critical. For these unsung heroes of the entertainment world,
[12:43] Speaker 1: The strike has resulted in more than $ 54 million accumulated
[12:48] Speaker 1: in hardship withdrawals from their retirement accounts. Unlike their high-earning
[12:52] Speaker 1: counterparts that are writers and actors, many in these roles
[12:55] Speaker 1: live paycheck to paycheck, facing an unprecedented financial challenge. For them,
[13:00] Speaker 1: a resolution isn't just about safeguarding the future of entertainment,
[13:03] Speaker 1: it's about safeguarding their immediate livelihoods and families. When we
[13:07] Speaker 1: think about strikes, we must somehow balance support for workers
[13:10] Speaker 1: fighting for fair compensation without forgetting all the others who
[13:13] Speaker 1: suffer in the interim while negotiations stall. The situation calls
[13:17] Speaker 1: for prayer and a heart for justice. The Bible teaches
[13:20] Speaker 1: us the value of fair labor practices and ethical business conduct.
[13:24] Speaker 1: As it is written in 1 Timothy 5.18, the laborer
[13:27] Speaker 1: deserves his wages. The industry crisis isn't simply a dispute
[13:30] Speaker 1: between writers and executives, but affects families who are suffering
[13:33] Speaker 1: due to loss of income. So, as the negotiations proceed,
[13:37] Speaker 1: It's a time for those of faith to pray for
[13:39] Speaker 1: a swift and just resolution for everyone involved. The strike
[13:43] Speaker 1: serves as a sobering lesson about the fragility of an
[13:46] Speaker 1: industry that we often see as invincible. Yet, in the
[13:49] Speaker 1: midst of struggle, Wednesday's encouraging meeting gives hope that a
[13:52] Speaker 1: balanced compromise is possible. As talks resume, the urgency isn't
[13:57] Speaker 1: just to save a season or breach a historic deal.
[14:01] Speaker 1: It's to save the livelihoods of thousands of workers who
[14:03] Speaker 1: make our beloved entertainment possible. May they not be forgotten
[14:07] Speaker 1: in this complex equation. Let's lift everyone up in prayer
[14:11] Speaker 1: and close our time together. Dear Lord, we lift up
[14:14] Speaker 1: all those affected by the ongoing WGA strike, especially the
[14:17] Speaker 1: often overlooked workers whose livelihoods are at stake. We pray
[14:21] Speaker 1: for wisdom, fairness, and compromise to prevail in the negotiations
[14:25] Speaker 1: so that a just and swift resolution can be reached.
[14:28] Speaker 1: May the struggle serve as a lesson on the importance
[14:30] Speaker 1: of ethical labor practices and the real human lives that
[14:33] Speaker 1: are impacted when those are not observed. We pray all
[14:36] Speaker 1: these things with trust. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you
[14:40] Speaker 1: for joining us today on Pray News. It is our
[14:42] Speaker 1: aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you
[14:45] Speaker 1: would proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a
[14:47] Speaker 1: force for good. If you've enjoyed this take on the news,
[14:50] Speaker 1: consider writing us a review and share your experience. You
[14:53] Speaker 1: can sign up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com. There you
[14:55] Speaker 1: will find sources to all of our reporting. Be sure
[14:58] Speaker 1: to download the Pray.com app to make prayer a priority
[15:00] Speaker 1: in your life and experience the Bible in new and
[15:02] Speaker 1: exciting ways. God bless.

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