Venue: Methodist Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, London SW1H 9NH
When: Monday 29 June 2026, 10:00 – 17:00 BST
Tickets: £25, buy tickets here >>
The annual Religion Media Festival will be held on Monday 29 June at Methodist Central Hall from 10:00 – 17:00, when we will be hosting panels and hearing from speakers on a range of issues, from religious broadcasting in a digital age, to antisemitism and Islamophobia, to how Christianity is enmeshed in political debate.
Well-known religion journalists will be quizzed on their work and host the discussions.
From mainstream television, radio and print, to the huge engagement with religion online and in social media, this is an essential event for anyone wanting to help shape or critique the narrative of modern-day religion.
An unmissable event at the intersection of journalism and religion – the day will be packed with excellent speakers, in-depth discussions, panel talks delving into all aspects of the presentation of religion, and networking over tea/coffee and a light sandwich buffet lunch (included in ticket price).
Most of the programme is now in place below, but keep checking back, as items and times might change!
| 10:00 | Doors open | Tea and coffee available |
| 10:30 | Introduction | A welcome and introduction from our presenter, Hannah Scott-Joynt |
| 10:35 | Keynote | Protecting the place of religion in the media in a digital age Keynote speech by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, followed by a panel discussion chaired by Roger Bolton with: -Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics for BBC Television -Gareth Barr, ITV Director of Policy & Regulation -Prof Jolyon Mitchell, St John’s College, Durham -Prof Barnie Choudhury, journalism lecturer at UEA and editor at large for Eastern Eye |
| 11:35 | Festival Short | Modern death rituals and the changing face of religion Dr Jennifer Uzzell, on religion and spirituality shifts |
| 11:50 | Panel Discussion | Faith in the Feed: Meet the new generation of content creators building audiences and shaping conversations about faith, ethics and culture online. Host: Jessie Paktiazay, with panellists: -TikTok Vicar Rev Pippa White -The Young Imam, Sabah Ahmedi -Virdi Mazaria, entrepreneur, international DJ, and former candidate on BBC One’s The Apprentice 2024 -Tom Chappell – Lead Producer, The Way UK, a Christian, digital youth ministry |
| 12:35 | Festival Short | Religion on BBC Radio, with Tim Pemberton |
| 12:45 | Lunch | Light sandwich buffet lunch (included in ticket price) |
| 13:30 | Panel Discussion | What good is Artificial Intelligence? Discuss Journalists, academics and developers consider the impact of AI on religion and journalism. The panel is hosted by the Rev Dr Pete Phillips, leader of the Centre for Digital Theology at Cliff College, and includes: -Dr Sam Tranter, on Christian ethics, political theology and emerging technologies -Marina Adami, digital journalist at Reuters Institute -Rev Dr Kathryn Pritchard, co-director of the ECLAS project, and adviser with CofE Faith and Public Life team -Ashley Singh, software developer -Bernard Achampong, Founder of Unedited., chair of AudioUK, Radio Academy fellow |
| 14:15 | Panel Discussion | Journalists reporting religion – where and how to tell the story of the rise in Christian nationalism and other issues Host: Rosie Dawson, with panellists: -Catherine Pepinster -Tim Wyatt -Burhan Wazir, editor in chief, Hyphen Online -Tola Mbakwe, News Editor, Premier Christian News |
| 15:00 | Interview | Reporting statistics – lessons learned from the Quiet Revival Professor Sir John Curtice, senior research fellow at the National Centre for Social Research and Professor at Strathclyde University, and Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, interviewed by Tim Wyatt |
| 15:30 | Break | Opportunity for networking |
| 15:45 | Festival Short | Faith on the Frontline – Zöe Franklin MP, chair APPG on Faith and Society |
| 16:00 | Keynote and Interview | How the media should challenge hate crime and promote social cohesion The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, will deliver an address, followed by an interview with Imam Qari Asim, exploring the same issues. As co-signatories of the Drumlanrig Accords, an agreement aimed at strengthening relations between Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK, both speakers will reflect on the role of the media at a time of heightened social tension. The session will be hosted by former BBC Home Editor Mark Easton, who will chair the discussion. |
| 16:45 | Closing Remarks | Hannah Scott-Joynt and Michael Wakelin reflect on the day and close the festival |
| 17:00 | End |
