There are many people of faith in the world, but the media tends to do a poor job in representing them, began Sheri Dew, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer of the Deseret Management Corporation. Simran Singh, Executive Director of Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute, explained his dismay about the media’s misrepresentation of Sikhs after the 2012 shooting at the Oak Creek Temple. Minorities are hypervisible, he said, but not authentically represented.
Stephanie Linus, Actress and Filmmaker at Next Page Productions, noted that there remains a perception that faith-based content is too safe and not marketable, so religious filmmakers often feel frustrated. She recommended that they take a leap of faith. Finally, looking at the news media, Mike Allen, Co-Founder of AXIOS, explained that journalists are often afraid of getting it wrong, so they need help in understanding faith and religion so they may speak about it transparently and fluently.
“It is on the media to do the research […] on the other side, I ask that you assume positive intent from journalists that want to get the story and language right.”
Mike Allen, Co-Founder, AXIOS
“More than 80% of the people in the world say that they identify with some kind of faith or faith beliefs, and yet in media we don’t seem to be meeting that demand.”
Sheri Dew, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer, Deseret Management
“The faith-based community needs to come up to and align with the standard that we now all expect.”
Stephanie Linus, Actress and Filmmaker, Next Page Productions
“My message is focused on what faith leaders can do: think about relationships. Offer yourself and create a connection.”
Simran Singh, Executive Director, Religion & Society Program, Aspen Institute
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