Article Added On: June 17, 2004 - over 4 years ago
Title: Final Report, June 7-9, 1998 Faith and the Media Conference
Publication Date: January 01, 1998 - over 11 years ago
Themes: 1998 Faith and Media conference
Abstract:
270 people registered for the Conference. They came from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, the Maritimes and Northwest Territories. 45 of the participants came from Canadian media outlets. 88 worked for the religious media. Religious groups represented included Protestant, Catholic , Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Mormon, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Baha'i, Unitarian, Scientology. One veteran religion reporter observed that "it must have been one of the broadest religious gatherings ever assembled in Canada."
One of the purposes of the Conference was to obtain media coverage of this issue as a result of holding the event. A total of 41 articles about the Conference appeared in newspapers across Canada. Additionally, a number of religious publications carried reports about the Conference; a report also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor in the U.S. A number of these reports appear on the Conference web site.
Several arrangements were made prior to the Conference to obtain media attention to this issue. Discussions with Media Magazine, the official publication of the Canadian Association of Journalists, resulted in four articles, two of which were supplied by the Faith and Media steering committee. A follow-up article was provided to Media Magazine for its fall issue.
Description: Final Report, June 7-9, 1998 Faith and the Media Conference
Attendance
270 people registered for the Conference. They came from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, the Maritimes and Northwest Territories. 45 of the participants came from Canadian media outlets. 88 worked for the religious media. Religious groups represented included Protestant, Catholic , Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Mormon, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Baha'i, Unitarian, Scientology. One veteran religion reporter observed that "it must have been one of the broadest religious gatherings ever assembled in Canada."
Media Coverage
One of the purposes of the Conference was to obtain media coverage of this issue as a result of holding the event. A total of 41 articles about the Conference appeared in newspapers across Canada. Additionally, a number of religious publications carried reports about the Conference; a report also appeared in the Christian Science Monitor in the U.S. A number of these reports appear on the Conference web site.
Several arrangements were made prior to the Conference to obtain media attention to this issue. Discussions with Media Magazine, the official publication of the Canadian Association of Journalists, resulted in four articles, two of which were supplied by the Faith and Media steering committee. A follow-up article was provided to Media Magazine for its fall issue.
As well, arrangements were made with CBC Radio Cross Country Check-Up and the CBC TV National Magazine to broadcast shows about the issue. Cross Country Check-Up featured the issue on June 7, with host Rex Murphy. The CBC National Magazine taped a roundtable discussion about the issue at the Conference (hosted by Hana Gartner) and devoted its whole show to the issue on June 19.
Finally, an arrangement was made with Vision TV to tape the whole event. Portions of the Conference were broadcast by Vision TV on September 15, 22 and 29.
Other media coverage included appearances by people associated with the Conference on radio call-in shows in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg. Additionally, people associated with the Conference did 16 radio and five television interviews across the country.
In total, the issue of how the Canadian media covers faith was the subject of 75 media reports, ranging from articles to call-in shows, and local and national TV interviews and documentaries.
First-ever poll of how Canadians view media coverage of faith
The Conference prompted the Angus Reid Group to commission Canada's first- ever survey of how Canadians view media coverage of faith. The Canada-wide poll was conducted by telephone between May 12 and May 17, 1998 among 1,516 adult Canadians. The poll found that 65 percent of Canadians who attend religious services on a weekly basis say the Canadian media does a poor job of covering faith and religion, while six in ten Canadians reported that religion is an important part of their life.
Evaluations
Evaluations were handed out to Conference participants at the end of the event. 54 evaluations were returned. 51 people said there should be follow-up to the Conference beyond the web site. Four said the conference and web site are sufficient.
What kind of follow-up did people suggest? 21 said another conference, with seven of those saying that if there is one it should not occur for at least two years. Eight suggested smaller regional events across Canada, perhaps hosted by journalism schools. Three suggested that the follow-up should include practical how-to information about dealing with the media. Three suggested faith-awareness sessions for journalism schools.
24 people said one good way to follow-up the Conference would be to publish a book which would be informative for journalists, journalism students and people who want to know more about this issue. 13 said no to a book; the most common objection was that a book would be too quickly dated.
Comments about the Conference
Participants were invited to share some comments about the Conference. A few are included below which represent some of the sentiments expressed by many.
