The Rumi Forum’s Center for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue hosted the Luncheon Speaker Series: “How the Media Covers Religion” with Sr. Maureen Fieder, SL, Ph.D, Host of Interfaith Voices.
Sr. Maureen Fiedler, SL, Ph.D. offered her perspectives on how religion is discussed in the media. She discussed mainstream media coverage in print and on TV/radio, new efforts at interfaith programming and publishing, and the “new media” of the Internet. Sr. Maureen also shared how religion has been discussed or referred to in different media outlets over the years and she provided different media sources where religion is discussed in a positive and fair manner. The talk also included the treatment of Islam in the media and the right of “free speech” and how media professionals should exercise that right with responsible reporting. At the conclusion of her talk Sr. Maureen Fiedler offered ideas on how the media could cover the moderate view of Islam, the future of religious discussions in various media outlets and how important it is for all to have a world view in an effort to shape our perspectives about the “other” whether it be about religion, culture, race, etc.. Following the talk participants asked questions and discussed with Sr. Maureen various topics some of which included how the media’s coverage of religion can improve, social action perspectives in religion and the moderate voices of religion.
Sr. Maureen Fiedler, SL, Ph.D. is the host of Interfaith Voices, an hour-long radio magazine show, heard on 40 public and community radio stations in the U.S. and Canada, including WAMU 88.5 FM in Washington, DC. She has been involved in interfaith activities for more than three decades as an active participant in coalitions working for social justice, racial or gender equality, and peace. Her special interests lie at the intersection of theology and public policy. She is a Sister of Loretto, and holds a Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
