Best Practices to Follow When Reporting on Different Religions

Journalists covering religion face attacks from multiple fronts, making their work increasingly perilous. Extremist groups often target them for exposing radical ideologies or actions that conflict with the group's beliefs. State security forces, in some regions, suppress religious reporting to control narratives and maintain political power. Militant factions, driven by ideological zeal, also pose significant threats, viewing unbiased reporting as a challenge to their authority and agenda. These dangers display the complex and risky landscape religious journalists navigate to deliver their stories. Steps must always be taken to ensure safety while reporting on such touchy subjects as religion.

But what to do? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Writing Anonymously

If a journalist's priority lies in reporting factual information or expressing opinions rather than gaining recognition through their byline, they might consider writing anonymously or under a pseudonym. However, it is important to understand that anonymity does not guarantee complete protection.

When covering sensitive topics, a journalist must take meticulous precautions to prevent being traced, tracked, or identified. Failing to do so not only jeopardizes their personal safety but also endangers the security of their sources. Starting with fundamental online privacy practices recommended by organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Tor, Privacy International, and Access Now is essential. These measures are critical in safeguarding both the journalist's integrity and the trust placed in them by those who share their stories under sensitive circumstances.

Some May Need to Report from Exile

While not an ideal situation, reporting from exile often becomes a necessary recourse. When journalists and citizens find themselves unable to cover sensitive religious topics within their own countries, they may opt to provide information securely and anonymously to international outlets with significant global reach. This approach ensures that critical issues are brought to light despite local restrictions and threats. However, even in exile, displaced journalists must remain vigilant about the safety of their loved ones, colleagues, and sources who remain in their home countries. The balance between effective reporting and ensuring the security of those close to them is a constant concern.

IranWire serves as a notable example of this type of reporting. Operating from outside Iran, IranWire has managed to deliver insightful and impactful coverage on various sensitive issues affecting the region. Their approach underscores the importance of leveraging international platforms to amplify voices and shed light on issues that might otherwise be suppressed or overlooked locally.

While reporting from exile presents challenges, it also represents a critical lifeline for journalists and citizens striving to uphold the principles of free speech and transparency in environments where such freedoms are severely constrained.

Let Sources Say What Journalists Cannot

Journalists should include alternative voices in your reporting. These are individuals who can express ideas and opinions that a journalist may not be able to articulate, or who represent identities frequently underrepresented or misrepresented in the media. This fundamental principle is not only essential for comprehensive reporting but also serves as a powerful means to amplify dissent and illuminate local controversies and debates. However, journalists must exercise caution to ensure that incorporating such quotes does not pose a risk to themselves or their sources.

One Example: Pakistan’s Media Matters for Democracy

In Sri Lanka, a Buddhist monk and a group of Sinhalese men detained three journalists who were reporting on Tamil cattle farmers. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) emphasized that Tamil journalists should be able to report on their community without fear of reprisal. Sadaf Khan, co-founder of Pakistan’s Media Matters for Democracy (MMD), noted that in many countries, dominant religions hold significant power, creating hazardous conditions for journalists. Reporting on sensitive religious issues or human rights violations against minority groups can provoke backlash and accusations of disrespect, increasing risks for journalists. Ensuring safety is essential, with MMD advising journalists to avoid routine patterns, not travel alone, pre-plan protest rally locations, and never position themselves between security forces and demonstrators.