Religion News Service, AP and The Conversation launch global religion journalism initiative

This initiative includes the creation of a joint global religion news desk aimed at providing balanced, nuanced coverage of major world religions, with an emphasis on explaining religious practices and principles behind current events and cultural movements.

Staffed by journalists from RNS, a subsidiary of RNF, and AP and editors from The Conversation, an independent, nonprofit publisher of commentary and analysis sourced from academic experts, the desk will produce multiformat religion journalism intended to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.

The initiative is funded by an 18-month, $4.9 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to RNF. It is one of the largest investments in religion journalism in decades.

"The Global Religion Journalism Initiative grant fundamentally transforms religion journalism in the U.S. and globally," said Thomas Gallagher, president and CEO of the Religion News Foundation and CEO and publisher of RNS. "It is deeply affirming and humbling to be entrusted with this important grant, especially at a time when competent, reliable, professional religion journalism is needed more than ever."

"This collaboration significantly expands AP’s capacity to explore issues of faith, ethics, and spirituality as a social and cultural force," said AP Managing Editor Brian Carovillano. "We are delighted to be working with these organizations to produce meaningful religion journalism that will help inform audiences across the globe."

"Thanks to Lilly Endowment, The Conversation can now expand the coverage we give to ethics and religion, which is one of our eight areas of editorial focus," said Bruce Wilson, Chief Innovation and Development Officer of The Conversation. "Through this unique collaboration with the AP, RNF and RNS, The Conversation can bring our fresh insights to an even wider range of audiences across the country and globally."

Through the initiative, AP will add eight religion journalists; RNS will add three religion journalists; and The Conversation will add two religion editors. Additional business staff will also be hired across the organizations.

"This is an opportunity to bring content about religion to a much broader audience and market than has previously been possible. We look forward to bolstering AP’s product offering for our member news organizations and customers," said Michael Fabiano, AP vice president for local media.

The grant is part of Lilly Endowment’s support for efforts that strengthen the public understanding of religion. Grants have helped fund other media projects, including RNF’s support for RNS and documentaries about religious leaders and traditions.

"This collaboration among RNF, The Associated Press and The Conversation is groundbreaking and holds significant promise to increase both the volume and quality of religion news reporting," said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. "We believe the initiative will help ensure that fair and accurate news coverage about religion reaches broad audiences and improves understanding about how religion shapes national and international events."

Each organization retains editorial control of its respective content, which will be clearly labeled and distributed by AP. RNS opinion content will be available to AP member news organizations and customers, though it will not appear on the AP wire.