2. MEDIA AND RELIGION

Abstract

Reporting on Religion: A Primer on Journalism's Best Beat by Diane Connolly and edited by Debra L. Mason (Westerville, OH: Religion News-writers Association, 2006-free, 97 pp., notes and bibliography) offers a simply written but highly effective overview of what it is like to cover a media religion beat. The guide offers practical advice and information for those already covering religion as an assigned beat and for those who are new to this area. Written and produced by the Religion Newswriters Association and accompanied by colorful and effective graphics and titles, the primer supports the writers' belief that this is “the best beat in the business.” Included are seven chapters devoted to the field of religious journalism and to those who write about religion and related spirituality and ethical issues for various media. Discussions include the effect of a reporter's own religious beliefs and whether this should be revealed professionally. A chapter on specific religious groups is very valuable and informative. Each of the entries in this chapter follows an identical format: a brief description, its scripture(s), major organizations, issues, major holidays, and tips for coverage and resources. Included are Roman Catholics, Evangelicals, Mainline Protestants, Pentecostals, Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sikhism, and New Religious Movements. Similar sections are devoted to African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. One useful section describes how to visit places of worship that are unfamiliar. Interspersed throughout are brief vignette-type paragraphs on such topics as making sure religious titles are correct and a ranking of the world's belief systems. It is interesting to note that atheism is number three after Christianity and Islam. While nonscholarly in its approach and advice, this handy little primer offers truly valuable contacts, publications, urls, and the like. Copies may be requested from the Religion Newswriters Association at its web site www.RNA.org. The site also contains an online version of this book, which it promises to keep updated. It is unfortunate that the slim guide is published on magazine-type stock and thus will have to be bound for library use but it is recommended for all communication collections. (Eleanor Block)