Faith in Journalism: How news organizations can build trust with religious Americans

More than 75 percent of Americans say religion is an important part of their lives. How do these Americans see themselves and their faith reflected in news coverage? What does reporting on faith get right and wrong? How do editors and reporters think about who they’re reaching with these stories and who they’ve lost? And how might this coverage build trust in journalism among communities who have been historically misrepresented?

Registration is open for this program, which will take place on Friday, June 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Participants will learn:

• How journalists of faith navigate challenges from inside their newsrooms and from inside their faith communities
• Whose faith is centered in coverage and whose is marginalized, mischaracterized, or misunderstood
• Which best practices can help extend our community’s understanding of itself

The program will also surface suggestions for covering people of faith and faith practices in ways that broaden reach and build credible connections in the communities journalists serve.

Panelists include:

• Dawn Araujo-Hawkins, news editor at Christian Century; vice president at Religion News Association
• Alison Bethel, vice president of corps excellence at Report for America
• Sarah Breger, editor at Moment Magazine
• McKay Coppins, staff writer at The Atlantic
• Richard Flory, executive director at USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
• Aysha Khan, editor at Next City, freelance journalist, and Harvard Divinity School graduate
• Holly Meyer, religion news editor at The Associated Press
• Bill Mitchell, publisher, CEO, and president at the National Catholic Reporter
• Paul O’Donnell, editor-in-chief at Religion News Service

The conversation will be moderated by Julie Moos, the Institute’s Executive Director, and is supported by an operational grant from the Deseret Management Corporation.

About the Institute

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.

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