Skip to main content

The Image of the Other in the Media

The Image of the Other in the Media

KAICIID Media Programme

The KAICIID Media Programme seeks to address the misrepresentation of religion and religious people in the media and on the Internet in a way that upholds press freedoms. People should have an accurate understanding of religious communities and beliefs—and their preconceptions are shaped in large part by the media and online information. KAICIID is developing training courses and conducting outreach through publications and events in order to address this need. KAICIID works with interreligious dialogue practitioners, religious leaders and journalists from religious and secular media in a two-pronged approach. On one hand, KAICIID seeks to support the more accurate representation of religion and religious communities in the media and online. On the other hand, religious leaders, who serve as channels of information to their communities, must also be savvy in their consumption of media and information: empowered to respond to hate speech and misrepresentations, and critically aware of the way media and information sources shape perceptions. 

 

Training for Interreligious Dialogue Practitioners

KAICIID developed with international experts training curricula targeted at religious leaders and dialogue practitioners, which were piloted during KAICIID Dialogue Days in November 2014. The two training programmes in development were: “Media Wise: Empowering Responsible Religious Leadership in the Digital Age”: Religious leaders are consumers and transmitters of information. This curriculum is tailored to their needs, enabling religious leaders to understand the news media, assess how news and information shape perceptions about people from other religions and cultures, find quality information, and address misinformation when they see it. This course is the result of a collaboration with KAICIID partner UNESCO, and UNESCO and KAICIID are working together to pilot this curriculum. “Speak Up: Social Media and Communications Training for Interreligious Dialogue Practitioners”: Experienced interreligious dialogue practitioners know the value of dialogue and the potential of faith as a force for peace—this is their daily reality. But too often, their messages of positive action and peace are drowned by narratives of violence and breaking news about conflicts conducted in the name of religion. This course will help dialogue practitioners use social media channels and engage with journalists to tell their stories of peace.

Tips for Journalists Covering Religion

Religious communities are part of the fabric of every society, but given the diversity and complexity of religious communities and beliefs, it can be challenging for journalists to cover issues that touch on religion and religious people in a way that is accurate and informed.

KAICIID developed a toolkit for journalists on covering stories with a religious dimension, which includes advice from journalists for dialogue leaders seeking to have their voices heard. The tips and best practices contained in this publication were developed by more than 40 journalists meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, in April 2014 for a one-day discussion of best practices for reporting on religion. Their suggestions were compiled and edited by KAICIID.