Most Americans learn about religion through news media. Our understanding of our own and others’ traditions is significantly shaped by what airs on the evening news, appears in our newspapers, is heard over the radio or flies around online news magazines, blogs and social networking sites. Far too often, American public education on religion is ineffectual and inaccurate. The effects of such a poor education reverberate through misunderstandings, the isolation of communities from one another, religious violence and, at times, ill-informed policy decisions. Only with an excellent education in world religions today, can we be effective and ethical citizens of our communities, the country and the world.

Auburn Media’s Journalist Resource Desk promotes excellence in news coverage of religion through a variety of services. We support media makers by offering a 24-hour service which provides reporters and producers with diverse, engaging and responsible religious voices and experts to address issues of contemporary concern. Unlike speakers bureaus whose mission is to promote a set of paying clients, we meet the needs of journalists by offering the best and most informed voices in the field, period. We do not promote any single message but work to make sure that public debate is productively informed by diverse perspectives. We are attuned to the needs of producers: the people we recommend are responsible, educated on the topics about which they speak, perform well on camera and radio and understand the critical importance of responding quickly. We also offer constructive feedback to reporters, producers, and other media makers, backed by our long-standing reputation and established expertise in religion and ethics.