History

The Religion Media Centre emerged from a conference in 2009, when faith leaders met journalists to understand the gulf in understanding between the two sides. Volunteers created the organisation and started activities enabling us to win funding and begin our work.

Our Story

The idea to start the Religion Media Centre emerged from an event at Cumberland Lodge in 2009, when faith leaders met journalists to understand the gulf in understanding between the two sides. The conference resulted in a book “Religion in the News” by Prof Jolyon Mitchell, who is still associated with us as an adviser.

At the time, bishops were concerned that religious affairs correspondents were being sacked or moved on in Fleet Street, and thought it was because there was a secular agenda in newsrooms where religion was regarded as a low priority or something most people thought was unimportant and a minority interest.
Journalists thought that faith representatives didn’t understand the media industry, were reluctant to engage, were not good at sharing information and were not easy to deal with.

The idea was that a Religion Media Centre would be a bridge between both sides, working alongside journalists and other media professionals to explain, enhance and encourage the reporting of religion, and thus understanding in society.

The need for the RMC remains clear. Research suggests Muslims are represented within a negative framework relating to crime, violence and immigration. British Jews believe that media bias against Israel fuels anti-Semitism. Christians often feel misrepresented and disrespected.

Religious stories are rarely found on news diaries and there is a widespread view among clergy that the media is only interested in conflict and controversy.

Yet religion is back in the news and as James Harding, former editor of the Times and former director of BBC News, speaking at our festival in 2018, said: “Religious correspondents are blessed with a beat that really speaks to people – how they live, how they love, how they work, how they die. I am arguing there are better stories out there.”

Timeline

Summer 2009
Summer 2009 Inception
The idea of the Religion Media Centre arose when journalists and religious leaders met at Cumberland Lodge to discuss their mutual frustration about religious reporting in the UK. The content of the conference was published in ‘Religion and the News’, by Jolyon Mitchell and Owen Gower in 2009.
Summer 2009
2009-2015
2009-2015 Beginnings
As a result of the conference, it was decided that a Religion Media Centre would be created to broker a better relationship between the media and the world of religion. It would follow the model of the Science Media Centre, which put before journalists the weight and opinion of reputable scientists on all manner of stories, amplifying the importance of science and improving coverage. A steering committee was formed to drive the vision into reality. Initial funding was found from the Pears Foundation and the work was supported by Goldsmiths University.
2009-2015
October 2016
Incorporation
The Religion Media Centre is set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The first trustees were brought on board, with Michael Wakelin, formerly Head of Religion at the BBC, as the chair. An advisory group was formed, with supporters who had long advocated for this type of organisation to exist.
October 2016
2017
Momentum Builds
Funds were sought and in 2017, the Porticus Trust generously provided a start up grant. They have continued to be a steadfast supporter, repeating this generosity in subsequent years. Ruth Peacock was engaged as Launch Director for the Religion Media Centre, drawing together a wide network of academics, journalists, leading commentators in the field, volunteers and supporters offered their services at reduced rates to get the organisation going. The website was launched – with specialist religious affairs journalists providing news articles, and academics in the field offering news comment and writing fact sheets for RMC. We launched our Reporting Religion in Britain courses, pooling a network of experts in the field to provide top level training for those involved in religious reporting – from journalists to film directors.
2017
Spring 2018
Festival Lauch
Our first Religion Media Festival was held in Spring 2018 at the JW3 Centre in north London, to great success. Over 200 industry contributors came together to engage in debate, review key topics and network with each other. Key speakers were James Harding, former BBC Director of News; Mark Thompson, former BBC Director General then President and CEO of the New York Times; and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce
Spring 2018
2019
Training Programmes
Our training programmes attracted Reach PLC, CTVC, NUJ and others. Another successful Religion Media Festival held again at the JW3 Centre in north London. Key speakers were Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks; Simon Terrington, former OFCOM Director of Content Policy; and James Purnell, BBC Director of Radio and Education, with responsibility for religious affairs programming. The RMC received a generous grant from the Porticus Trust in 2019, enabling our security for the next four years, allowing considerable expansion.
2019
2020
Changing with the Times
Our training programmes attracted Reach PLC, CTVC, NUJ and others. Another successful Religion Media Festival held again at the JW3 Centre in north London. Key speakers were Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks; Simon Terrington, former OFCOM Director of Content Policy; and James Purnell, BBC Director of Radio and Education, with responsibility for religious affairs programming. The RMC received a generous grant from the Porticus Trust in 2019, enabling our security for the next four years, allowing considerable expansion.
2020