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What about
religion on other beats?
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Everyday
asset
Fifty-nine
percent of Americans surveyed in April 2006 said religion was “extremely”
or “very important” in their daily life. In the CBS News Poll,
26 percent said religion was “somewhat important,” 13 percent
said it was “not important,” and 2 percent weren’t sure.
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Religion reporters
don’t have exclusive rights to writing about spirituality and generally
appreciate when other reporters acknowledge it in stories — especially
if it’s done well. Some guidelines:
• Whenever religion and faith are a significant factor in a story, that
should be acknowledged, no matter who is covering it.When a mother says God
saved her baby from a fire, quote it.When a politician says his Catholic faith
led him to vote against stem cell research, quote it. Better yet, ask more questions.
• Include religion in breaking news and team coverage.When the valedictorian’s
speech is censored because she talked about Jesus or when a mosque’s windows
are shot out, religion journalists can help with coverage, provide sources and
background, and/or urge editors and producers to explore where faith fits in.
• Religion journalists should be good ambassadors for their beat.When another
department is working on a story that touches on religion, offer sources and
background.Other journalists may then be more likely to ask for the resources
that will help them get the religion angle right.
• Most religion stories overlap with another beat. If a pastor is a radio
personality, turf battles can be minimized if the entertainment and religion
reporters coordinate. Everyday asset Fifty-nine percent of Americans surveyed
in April 2006 said religion was “extremely”or “very important”
in their daily life. In the CBS News Poll, 26 percent said religion was “somewhat
important,” 13 percent said it was “not important,” and 2 percent
weren’t sure.
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