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Balance. Accuracy. Insight. IN
THIS ISSUE:
On March 12, Religion Newswriters helped journalists understand how to cover Islam: what terminology to use and avoid, and where to find stories not being covered by most of the mainstream media. Participants never left their offices. The session was the first in a series of four Webinars focusing on issues tangential to global security. More than 100 journalists registered for the 75-minute seminar, “Covering Islam 101.” Thanks to a generous grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, Religion Newswriters presented Farid Senzai, fellow and director of research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, along with Andrea Useem, a journalist who specializes in writing about Islam for Religion News Service, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and other media outlets. The pair were joined by Diane Connolly, editor of ReligionLink, Religion Newswriters’ online resource on religion, public policy and culture. Participants—mainly journalists from a variety of news outlets and specialty areas—learned the basics of Islamic belief and practice; when religion is and isn’t part of a story involving Muslim people; and the major issues facing the diverse Muslim community. Useem presented a list of ideas for stories that are not being covered by the mainstream press. Both speakers focused on choosing words carefully and paying attention to the factors behind statistics. “This series offers some of the best training we can offer for journalists who encounter these topics—and without the travel expense,” said Debra Mason, Religion Newswriters executive director. One participant said,“This was an absolutely outstanding Webinar. A tremendous amount of material was covered in a short time. The Webinar makes it possible for people in rural areas like mine to connect with what’s going on nationally and globally.” Future sessions will focus on Islam and Politics and religion within the military. For more details and to register, visit http://www.rna.org/webinars.php.
By: Kevin Eckstrom If you want to attend another RNA conference but worry your editor might not pick up the tab, this is something you’ll want to know about. The Religion Newswriters board left its last meeting with a fresh commitment to raise at least $7,500 in seed money for the RNA scholarship fund. These scholarships help pay the travel and hotel costs for RNA members to attend the annual conference. In an era of downsizing and belt-tightening, these scholarships allowed reporters at some of the nation’s smallest (and biggest) media outlets to get to the conference. We’re looking for 100 people who will donate $75 (or more) to the scholarship fund. If you’ve received a conference scholarship and know how valuable they are, we hope you’ll consider a $75 gift. If you were ever at a small newspaper and appreciate the unique sense of camaraderie at an RNA conference, I hope you’ll consider a donation. If you’ve ever stepped up on the podium to thank RNA for an award, I hope you’ll show your appreciation by writing a $75 check. As RNA matures as an organization and positions itself to navigate an uncertain future in the industry, our greatest need is to make sure we develop the financial resources to make that transition. That’s what your board is committed to do, and I hope you’ll help us help others. For less than $1 a day, you can help a starving religion reporter. That’s $25 a month for three months. To donate, call now: 614-891-9001, ext. 4# or 5#. Or send your donation to Religion Newswriters, P.O. Box 2037, Westerville, OH 43086-2037 (download the donor form). All donations are tax-deductible. Make sure to mark your checks for conference scholarships.
Judy Harrison writes for the Bangor Daily News. She received a scholarship to attend the 2007 Religion Newswriters Conference in San Antonio. This is from her scholarship application letter last spring: As in many newspapers, finances are tight at the Bangor Daily News, a family-owned newspaper that serves more than two-thirds of the state. In November 2006, nine reporters were laid off. Several of them had worked for the paper for more than 20 years. We have a very successful paid intern program. But it will be discontinued at the end of this week to save money. There simply is no money for training and travel. So far, cutbacks have not included less religion coverage. Attending the convention helps me understand what is happening nationally so I can then return to Maine and see how this state fits into the national scene. I returned from Miami (in 2005), where Rick Warren (author of The Purpose-Driven Life) spoke, to find many churches I covered using Warren’s book. I am hopeful when I return from San Antonio, I will be able to put the small but growing Spanish-speaking population in greater context. Ann Rodgers has no difficulty explaining why she is devoted to Religion Newswriters. “I’ve been a religion writer for 28 years,” she said. “It’s my whole career and what I believe in doing. The RNA is really what has helped me be able to build a career and to steadily improve. I feel a lot of the success I have I owe to RNA.” Rodgers, religion reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, serves on the Religion Newswriters board. She helped plan the 2007 RNA Annual Conference in San Antonio and is already hard at work planning the upcoming D.C. conference. In addition to her membership dues, Rodgers has been writing checks to the Religion Newswriters Foundation for many years. Recently, when she inherited some money, she found herself in a position to make a major gift. She wrote a check for $5,000. “When you have an organization that gives to you in that way, there’s really an obligation to give back,” she said. “But there’s a broader ethic. When you’ve been blessed, you give back. That’s what keeps the world turning. I really believe in RNA’s mission. In the world today it’s more and more important that people have an accurate understanding of religion. RNA is what helps the average person do that. We’re not academic. We’re the people who write for everyday America and try to help them understand that.” Rodgers also decided to donate proceeds from stock she was ready to sell. She reaped a tax benefit by offering it as a charitable donation. But she also derived personal satisfaction from supporting the organization that supports her. Join Ann in providing funds for the resources that keep you informed. It’s easy. To donate, call now: 614-891-9001, ext. 4# or 5#. Or send your donation to Religion Newswriters, P.O. Box 2037, Westerville, OH 43086-2037 (download the donor form). To reach Religion Newswriters' Development Director, e-mail Ruth Sternberg Portnoy at Ruth@RNA.org. |
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