Abstract

This chapter contextualizes the theme of religion and journalism, introduces already existing literature on the theme and provides information on the handbook’s aim, structure and content. In contrast to the existing studies, this handbook takes a far more inclusive approach, highlighting two new objectives in the study of religion and journalism above all: the international, global developments and the practitioners’ (journalists’) perspectives. Consequently, it discusses each theme with case studies from the major world regions (Europe, North America, Latin and South America, Asia and Africa) in order to present a truly global perspective. This handbook’s leading idea and approach is thus not only to provide a coherent and comprehensive overview of the currently existing research on religion and journalism but also to do so by applying an innovative structure which simultaneously emphasizes the current global developments in the field. This handbook is organized into three parts: inclusive themes relevant to all research on religion and journalism (such as theories and gender issues), major themes in global perspectives (such as power and authority and dialogue and peacebuilding) and meta processes and trends (such as globalization and digitalization), which are discussed from the perspective of one researcher and one journalist each.