The reporting of religion by the media continues to be a topic that occupies the minds of both religious communities and journalists, internationally and in New Zealand.

New Zealand's Statement on Religious Diversity, endeavours to affirm both freedom of the media and the importance of exercising it responsibly, although drafting the Statement has not been without controversy.

At the 2009 Asia-Pacific Interfaith Dialogue in Perth, sponsored by the Australian, Indonesian, New Zealand and Philippine governments, delegates from 15 countries agreed on the following statement:

‘We acknowledge the value of the freedom of the media in the promotion of communal and regional harmony, and we call on religious leaders and national and international media to recognise that this right entails the responsibility for accurate and balanced reporting.

‘We call on faith communities to seek media training and for media outlets to train reporters in religious issues.

‘We call on media and religious leaders to take responsibility for the resolution of disputes over misrepresentations and other conflicts.'

A number of New Zealand delegates to the Perth Dialogue will be present at the Christchurch forum.
Professor Paul Morris, of Victoria University, will introduce the topic with an overview of the issues and a suggested outline of a Statement on the Media and Religion. A media perspective will be presented by Associate Professor Jim Tully, Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences, at the University of Canterbury. A panel of speakers including representatives of faith communities and the media will further develop the discussion with participants.

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