Religion in the public square
The most telling religion stories aren’t usually hidden inside churches, synagogues, mosques or temples. They’re out in public, where people of all sorts of different faiths mix with each other, along...
View ArticleSpirituality
The number of Americans who claim no religious identity in surveys, dubbed “nones” by some experts, has doubled in the past decade, making them possibly the third-largest group in the country, after...
View ArticleIssues for reporters and editors
Political journalists who switch to the religion beat express surprise when sources start asking them about their religious beliefs. If they weren’t asked how they voted, why should they be asked where...
View ArticleRevealing personal beliefs
Veteran religion reporters have various ways of responding to questions about their own faith. There’s no single right way to respond; every person has to handle the question in a way that feels...
View ArticleReporting on people you disagree with
Most journalists have had plenty of practice reporting about people they disagree with. Religion introduces a new intensity to that challenge. It’s one thing to be a political reporter who votes...
View ArticleConflicts of interest
Every journalist encounters a conflict of interest at some point, but there are special considerations when it comes to religion. In general, reporters don’t join organizations that they cover, but...
View ArticleEthics
It doesn’t take long for religion journalists to discover that they will end up reporting on plenty of saints who are sinners. In other words, some religious people may do tremendous good for others...
View ArticleAbout Religion Newswriters
Religion reporting has existed since the earliest colonial newspapers. Samuel Kneeland, in The New-England Weekly Journal, wrote on March 20, 1727, (original capitalization and spelling preserved): It...
View ArticleSources
Religion Newswriters’ Religion Stylebook is a product of a tremendous amount of expertise. We want to credit the many publications, organizations and Web sites we consulted in addition to thanking...
View ArticleCredits
About the author Diane Connolly is the founding editor of ReligionLink, Religion Newswriters’ free Internet news service on religion, public policy and culture. Before that, she was religion editor at...
View ArticleHow to specialize in religion news
Religion News Association estimates that up to 500 journalists in North America regularly spend part of their day reporting on religion. Many of those cover religion full-time, particularly at...
View ArticleShow me the money
Resources on charitable giving and fiscal accountability: Although these organizations are all based in the U.S., many monitor ministries with large global reach. RESEARCH — The Lilly Family School of...
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