Should the media's coverage of religion get the public's blessing?

A recent study coauthored by John Green of the University of Akron found reporters tend to cover the political angle in religion stories - but readers say they're more interested in the spiritual side. Survey results also showed that not even one in five reporters see themselves as "very knowledgeable" about religion.

Should reporters focus on the spiritual? That's the starting point for a discussion that will include questions from the audience. Join us at the Brooklyn Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public LIbrary, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. as we discuss and debate media coverage of religion. 

Our panelists are:

• Mark Rollenhagen, pastor and former Plain Dealer reporter and editor. Now pastor at Faith Lutheran in Lakewood.
• Shih Ying-Fa, former journalist, current abbot and founder of CloudWater Zendo, the Zen Center of Cleveland and the Nien-Fo Ch'an Order of Buddhist Monks. 
• Nancy Erikson, editor of the Catholic Universe Bulletin. 

For more information on the study visit http://www.wksu.org/news/story/31277 

For more information about the program, call Rodney Bengston, Program Chair and First VP for SPJ Cleveland, at (440) 334-0141 or  email him at rodbengston@scglobal.net.