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. [1] [2]
The RNA was founded in 1949 and in 2007 had 570 members and subscribers. [3] [4][ needs update] Membership in the RNA is open to journalists who regularly report on religion in the secular print and broadcast media. [5] [6] Since 2006, the RNA has been associated with the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. [7] In 2016, RNA members approved a proposal to change the name from the "Religion Newswriters Association" to the current name. [8]
RNA awards scholarships for full-time journalists who wish to take college courses on religion, [9] gives awards and scholarships to college journalists, [10] sponsors seminars and conferences [11] [12] and publishes a "primer" for religion reporters [13] and an online style guide, [14] as well as other resources for journalists. RNA is funded by membership dues, donations, and Religion News Foundation support. [15]
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. [16] In 2005, Steve Buttry writing at Poynter Online said, "The Religion Newswriters Association does a tremendous job helping reporters learn the beat." [17] 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. [18]
Since the 1970s, RNA has published an annual list of the top ten religion-related news stories of the previous year. [19] [20] 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. [21] 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. [22]
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. [23]
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. [1] [2]
The RNA was founded in 1949 and in 2007 had 570 members and subscribers. [3] [4][ needs update] Membership in the RNA is open to journalists who regularly report on religion in the secular print and broadcast media. [5] [6] Since 2006, the RNA has been associated with the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. [7] In 2016, RNA members approved a proposal to change the name from the "Religion Newswriters Association" to the current name. [8]
RNA awards scholarships for full-time journalists who wish to take college courses on religion, [9] gives awards and scholarships to college journalists, [10] sponsors seminars and conferences [11] [12] and publishes a "primer" for religion reporters [13] and an online style guide, [14] as well as other resources for journalists. RNA is funded by membership dues, donations, and Religion News Foundation support. [15]
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. [16] In 2005, Steve Buttry writing at Poynter Online said, "The Religion Newswriters Association does a tremendous job helping reporters learn the beat." [17] 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. [18]
Since the 1970s, RNA has published an annual list of the top ten religion-related news stories of the previous year. [19] [20] 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. [21] 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. [22]
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. [23]