Religion Newswriters Association

The Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) is a nonprofit trade association in the United States which seeks to promote better reporting on religion in the news media and to provide help and support to journalists who cover religion. [ [http://www.journalismtraining.org/action/provider_detail?id=502 Religion Newswriters Association] National Society of Professional Journalists, JournalismTraining.org. Accessed September 6, 2008 ] [ [http://www.theledger.com/article/20080809/COLUMNISTS/808090308/1096/life Religion News Becoming Obsolete] The Ledger, August 9, 2008] It was founded in 1949 and in 2007 had 570 members and subscribers. [ [http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/09/faith/19_59_4310_4_07.prt Dolbee, Gorski honored by Religion Newswriters Association] North County Times, October 4, 2007] [ [http://abcnews.go.com/US/WireStory?id=3689445&page=3 Religion News in Brief] ABC News Accessed September 6, 2008] Membership in the RNA is open to journalists who regularly report on religion in the secular print and broadcast media. [ [http://www.cnjo.org/node/58 Religion Newswriters Association] Council of National Journalism Organizations Accessed September 8, 2008] [ [http://www.npr.org/about/press/2007/100307.islam.html NPR NEWS’ RACHEL MARTIN WINS RELIGION NEWSWRITERS ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR REPORT ON LATINO EXODUS FROM CATHOLICISM TO ISLAM] National Public Radio October3, 2007] Since 2006, the RNA has been associated with the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. [ [http://journalism.missouri.edu/news/2006/09-08-debra-mason.html Debra Mason Named Director of Center for Religion, the Professions and the Public] Missouri School of Journalism, September 8, 2006]

The RNA awards scholarships for full-time journalists who wish to take college courses on religion, [ [http://www.aaja.org/news/industry/2006_02_22_1/ Religion Newswriters Association Scholarship] Asian American Journalists Association, Accessed September 6, 2008] gives awards and scholarships to college journalists, [ [http://journalism.missouri.edu/news/2004/06-17-todd.html Ross Todd Named Finalist in Religion Newswriters Association National Contest] Missouri School of Journalism, Accessed September 6, 2008 ] sponsors seminars and conferences [ [http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2692 Religion and Politics The Media's One-Dimensional View] Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting July/August 1994] [ [http://www.rna.org/seminarsworkshops.php RNA Seminars and Workshops] ] and publishes a "primer" for religion reporters and an online style guide, as well as other resources for journalists. [ [http://www.religionstylebook.org RNA Stylebook] ] [ [http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Majors/religion/relgen.htm General Religion Sources] Saint Ambrose University Library, Accessed September 6, 2008] The RNA is funded by dues paid by its members and contributions from the public. Among its contributors is the John Templeton Foundation, with the RNA awarding the Templeton Religion Reporter of the Year. [ [http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientgrants.php?recipientID=7142 Grants to Religion Newswriters Association] Media Transparency Accessed September 8, 2008] [ [http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2008/julyweb-only/128-31.0.html Philanthropist Sir John Templeton Dies at 95] Christianity Today July 9, 2008 ]

In 1999, RNA executive director Debra Mason said in an interview that the topic of religion is very complex and requires extensive research, something which newspaper editors don't always appreciate. [ [http://www.asne.org/reports/1999localnewshandbook/Ch9SPIRITUALITY.html The Local News Handbook] 1999, The American Society of Newspaper Editors] In 2005, Steve Buttry writing at Poynter Online said, "The Religion Newswriters Association does a tremendous job helping reporters learn the beat." [ [http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=76751 Help Wanted on Religion Beat: Don't Limit the Talent Pool] Steve Buttry, Poynter Online, January 11, 2005] The RNA was cited by Kenneth G. C. Newport and Crawford Gribben in their 2006 book "Expecting the End: Millennialism in Social and Historical Context" for helping reporters get in touch with credentialed scholars on religion, leading to better public understanding of religious issues. ["Expecting the End: Millennialism in Social and Historical Context", Kenneth G. C. Newport, Crawford Gribben, Baylor University Press, 2006, ISBN 1932792384, ISBN 9781932792386]

Since the 1970s the RNA has published an annual list of the most important religion-related news stories of the previous year. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s1265880.htm 2004 - Year in Review] ABC News Accessed September 8, 2008] [ [http://www.anglicanjournal.com/world/015/article/buddhist-monks-revolt-among-top-news-stories/ Buddhist monks’ revolt among top news stories] Anglican Journal February 1, 2008] In 1999, the RNA was criticized by the Islamic organization the Wisdom Fund for listing a story on a special "Top 10 Stories of The Millennium" list which gave inaccurate information on the history of Islam in India. [ [http://www.twf.org/News/Y1999/1206-NewsAssoc.html Religion Newswriters Association Bashes Islam] The Wisdom Fund, December 6, 1999] In the same year, the RNA also published a list of the top ten religious news stories of the Twentieth Century, with the Holocaust being the most important event. [ [http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/1999/12/15/ The century -- death by "quasi-religion"] Terri Mattingly, "On Religion"]

In 2001, the RNA was criticized by conservative commentator David Kupelain for its criticism of the expression "Islamic terrorist" and other expressions, of which it said: "similar phrases that associate an entire religion with the action of a few." [ [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=24704 Politically correct terrorism] David Kupelain, World Net Daily September 28, 2001] In 2006, representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Church of Scientology spoke to the annual RNA conference and discussed issues concerning their respective faiths. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060910/ai_n16721913 Faiths 'that don't fit' educate journalists] Deseret News September 10, 2006]

References

External links

* [http://www.rna.org RNA official site]
* [http://www.religionstylebook.org RNA Stylebook online]