Creating Connections between the media and religion in six cities this autumn

Unique events bringing together local religious groups and media professionals in six cities in England will take place this autumn. They are part of the innovative Creating Connections project led by the Religion Media Centre, an independent organisation seeking to help the media be better informed and have greater understanding of religion and worldviews in the UK.

The events are designed to raise understanding between religious groups and the media, providing information about the media and religious landscapes of the areas and an opportunity for creating new contacts. The events will run from 2pm – 7.30pm, with afternoon and evening sessions, giving people the opportunity to attend either or both. Details for each event are going up on the Religion Media Centre website. The schedule is:

• Bradford Tuesday 16 September, Kala Sangam arts centre
• Coventry Thursday 5 October, meeting room, Coventry Cathedral
• Newcastle Weds 18 October, Cathedral of St Nicholas
• Liverpool Thursday 9 November, The Black E
• Bristol Wednesday 22 November, Conference Hall, City Hall
• Norwich Tuesday 30 November, venue tbc

This is an opportunity for journalists, writers and media professionals, teachers, academics, faith groups, researchers, religious and community leaders to network, enhancing religious literacy and local understanding.

A selection of workshops will give local faith groups the chance to pitch their stories to journalists and give the media a window into the rich seam of stories to be mined from religious organisations in their patch. Key media professionals will give insights into their engagement with the community in a panel discussion and one of the workshops will be an introduction to basic media skills.

Further details of the project are on the Religion Media Centre website.

This is the second series of Creating Connections events. The first in 2021 included Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Plymouth and Birmingham. An astonishing 95 per cent of journalists said it improved their view of religion; and 97 per cent of the attendees said it improved their view of the media.

Executive chair, Michael Wakelin says: “Our purpose at the Religion Media Centre is to help plug gaps in religious literacy and the understanding of the media, so that communication is improved and concerns understood. Frequently we hear from faith groups and organisations that they feel misunderstood, misrepresented and ignored, causing them to retreat into silence. The gulf this creates is not good for journalism or faith groups. 84 per cent of people in the world are affiliated to a religion and in today’s global society, understanding beliefs, culture and practices has never been more important to foster understanding, respect and social cohesion.”

The Creating Connections project has been generously funded by Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, an organisation that believes broad-based, critical and reflective education in religion and worldviews contributes to a well-informed, respectful and open society.

For more information info@religionmediacentre.org.uk