he first and largest-ever Global Faith and Media Study was released September 20 at Concordia Annual Summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York City. The study analyzed perspectives of more than 9,000 people worldwide, including journalists and editors in 18 countries spanning the world’s major religions. The research commissioned by the Faith and Media Initiative (FAMI) and conducted by HarrisX examines the representation of faith and religion in the media, revealing a strong demand for more news media coverage of these topics.
Eighty-two percent of global respondents described themselves as religious, spiritual, or a person of faith, according to the study. Distinctions vary within this statistic, such as 74% affiliating with a specific religion or denomination to 27% identifying as spiritual. The global population of those who identify on some level with faith and religion remains visible.
Despite the large number of global respondents defining themselves as religious, spiritual, or a person of faith, news media coverage of faith and religion is marginalized. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said that high-quality content on faith and religion is needed in their countries, and 56% of people globally feel that there should be more nuanced reporting of religious issues.
Journalists additionally said that they feel media coverage of faith and religion is poor, inconsistent, and becoming more marginalized, aligning with the attitudes of many global respondents. The journalists and editors surveyed highlighted a fear in newsroom dynamics around covering religion. As religion becomes further politicized worldwide, fear of “getting it wrong” drives many newsrooms to avoid the topic. Stories about faith are also not seen as a driver of engagement in many secular cultures, while those in religious cultures often fear disturbing local orthodoxies and treading dangerous situations for themselves. Decreased budgets, religious stories being viewed as “soft” news, and a lack of diversity were noted as additional factors influencing the growing marginalization of faith and religion in media coverage.
People increasingly feel the lack of diversity in media and newsrooms produce harmful impacts such as stereotyping. Sixty-one percent reported that media perpetuates religious stereotypes, such as those spreading that most religions are against homosexuality, abuse children, promote radicalism, or hinder women. Furthermore, 43% of respondents said the current faith and religious coverage in news media creates unease and anxiety, with those in secular cultures highlighting this more.
While faith and religion are active components of modern society, the global deficit of news media coverage of these subjects likely impedes understanding of their influence and impact. The Global Faith and Media Study spotlights this deficit and challenge but also provides important feedback from respondents for improvements to be made. Eighty-four percent of people agreed that the media should include more spokespeople from religious groups, especially those with lived experience. Additionally, as outlets increasingly focus on race and gender stereotypes, 78% believe religious stereotypes should get the same or more attention. The newsroom dynamics impacting coverage must also be addressed if media is to more accurately address faith and religious issues.
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Global Media Falls Short on Covering Faith and Religion
Photo by Noah Holm on Unsplash
September 28, 2022
New research commissioned by the Faith and Media Initiative and unveiled at the UN General Assembly found that a diverse set of global audiences feel as though the media is not covering religion and faith adequately, signifying strong demand for more news coverage of these topics.
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he first and largest-ever Global Faith and Media Study was released September 20 at Concordia Annual Summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York City. The study analyzed perspectives of more than 9,000 people worldwide, including journalists and editors in 18 countries spanning the world’s major religions. The research commissioned by the Faith and Media Initiative (FAMI) and conducted by HarrisX examines the representation of faith and religion in the media, revealing a strong demand for more news media coverage of these topics.
Eighty-two percent of global respondents described themselves as religious, spiritual, or a person of faith, according to the study. Distinctions vary within this statistic, such as 74% affiliating with a specific religion or denomination to 27% identifying as spiritual. The global population of those who identify on some level with faith and religion remains visible.
Despite the large number of global respondents defining themselves as religious, spiritual, or a person of faith, news media coverage of faith and religion is marginalized. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said that high-quality content on faith and religion is needed in their countries, and 56% of people globally feel that there should be more nuanced reporting of religious issues.
Journalists additionally said that they feel media coverage of faith and religion is poor, inconsistent, and becoming more marginalized, aligning with the attitudes of many global respondents. The journalists and editors surveyed highlighted a fear in newsroom dynamics around covering religion. As religion becomes further politicized worldwide, fear of “getting it wrong” drives many newsrooms to avoid the topic. Stories about faith are also not seen as a driver of engagement in many secular cultures, while those in religious cultures often fear disturbing local orthodoxies and treading dangerous situations for themselves. Decreased budgets, religious stories being viewed as “soft” news, and a lack of diversity were noted as additional factors influencing the growing marginalization of faith and religion in media coverage.
People increasingly feel the lack of diversity in media and newsrooms produce harmful impacts such as stereotyping. Sixty-one percent reported that media perpetuates religious stereotypes, such as those spreading that most religions are against homosexuality, abuse children, promote radicalism, or hinder women. Furthermore, 43% of respondents said the current faith and religious coverage in news media creates unease and anxiety, with those in secular cultures highlighting this more.
While faith and religion are active components of modern society, the global deficit of news media coverage of these subjects likely impedes understanding of their influence and impact. The Global Faith and Media Study spotlights this deficit and challenge but also provides important feedback from respondents for improvements to be made. Eighty-four percent of people agreed that the media should include more spokespeople from religious groups, especially those with lived experience. Additionally, as outlets increasingly focus on race and gender stereotypes, 78% believe religious stereotypes should get the same or more attention. The newsroom dynamics impacting coverage must also be addressed if media is to more accurately address faith and religious issues.
