The Religion News Association (RNA), formerly the Religion Newswriters Association, is an American non-profit professional association which seeks to promote better reporting on religion in the news media and to provide help and support to journalists who cover religion.Religion Newswriters Association National Society of Professional Journalists, JournalismTraining.org. Accessed September 6, 2008Religion News Becoming Obsolete The Ledger, August 9, 2008
History The RNA was founded in 1949 and in 2007 had 570 members and subscribers.Dolbee, Gorski honored by Religion Newswriters Association North County Times, October 4, 2007Religion 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.Religion Newswriters Association Council of National Journalism Organizations Accessed September 8, 2008NPR NEWS’ RACHEL MARTIN WINS RELIGION NEWSWRITERS ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR REPORT ON LATINO EXODUS FROM CATHOLICISM TO ISLAM National Public Radio October 3, 2007 Since 2006, the RNA has been associated with the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.Debra Mason Named Director of Center for Religion, the Professions and the Public Missouri School of Journalism, September 8, 2006 In 2016, RNA members approved a proposal to change the name from the "Religion Newswriters Association" to the current name.
RNA awards scholarships for full-time journalists who wish to take college courses on religion,Religion Newswriters Association Scholarship Asian American Journalists Association, Accessed September 6, 2008 gives awards and scholarships to college journalists,Ross Todd Named Finalist in Religion Newswriters Association National Contest Missouri School of Journalism, Accessed September 6, 2008 sponsors seminars and conferences,Religion and Politics The Media's One-Dimensional View Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting July/August 1994 and publishes a primer for religion reporters and an online style guide, as well as other resources for journalists. RNA is funded by membership dues, donations, and Religion News Foundation support.
In 1999, former 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.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."Help Wanted on Religion Beat: Don't Limit the Talent Pool Steve Buttry, Poynter Online, January 11, 2005 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, ,
Since the 1970s, RNA has published an annual list of the top ten religion-related news stories of the previous year.2004 - Year in Review ABC News Accessed September 8, 2008Buddhist monks’ revolt among top news storiesAnglican Journal February 1, 2008 In 1999, 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.Religion Newswriters Association Bashes Islam The Wisdom Fund, December 6, 1999 In the same year, RNA also published a list of the top ten religious news stories of the Twentieth century, with the Holocaust being the most important event.The century -- death by "quasi-religion" Terri Mattingly, On Religion
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.
References
External links
"Reporting on Religion: A Primer on Journalism's Best Beat" Religion Stylebook ReligionLink, a free service sponsored by the RNA that publishes religion story ideas and sources for reporters weekly.