Introducing a Free Digital Newsbook: Islam For Journalists
A FREE DIGITAL NEWSBOOK

Islam for Journalists, a free Digital Newsbook, released by the dean of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and funded by the Social Science Research Council.
Digital Newsbook Islam for Journalists

Open a U.S. newspaper these days and you are almost guaranteed to see a story involving Islam. And it’s not just reporting from overseas. Muslims can be found in even the smallest communities in the United States.

For local reporters, that is both a challenge and an opportunity.

You don’t have to be an expert on Islam to report about Muslims on Main Street USA, any more than you need to have an MBA to report about local unemployment issues. But for every story, a little background is necessary.

That’s why we created Islam for Journalists, a free Digital Newsbook available to reporters, journalism students and anyone else interested in the topic.

Edited by veteran CBS News Middle East correspondent Lawrence Pintak, now founding dean of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, and former Chicago Tribune Middle East correspondent Stephen Franklin, the project brings together a dozen of the nation’s leading experts on Islam to present an overview of American Muslims, their religion and their culture, in a way that is accessible to busy reporters.

Islam for Journalists was designed and produced as an e-book by Roger Fidler at the University of Missouri’s Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI). It joins a growing collection of notable e-books produced at the RJI for the Center for Public Integrity, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Tampa Bay Times, and a variety of other news organizations.


Click this link to download
Islam for Journalists
from the Digital Newsbook catalog of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

What the pros say:


An invaluable resource for journalists covering Islam, whether in their local community, nationally or overseas. Frankly, this book is of value to anyone, given the still prevalent misunderstanding in this country of Muslims and their faith.
—Peter Bhatia, editor and vice president,
The Oregonian and Oregon Media Group


Understanding the basics of Islam is a must for all reporters, not just foreign correspondents or world affairs pundits. This book is an invaluable starting point for journalists who want to understand one of America’s fastest-growing religions.
—Doyle McManus, Washington, DC, columnist,
The Los Angeles Times


As information about Islam and Muslims increasingly ties into local news coverage in many markets, having a better understanding about the culture and access to important background information is essential to ensure accurate and objective reporting. This book is a must read for journalists who need to get up to speed and feel confident that they can tell the right story about a growing interest in many communities.
—Mike Gugliotto, President and CEO,
Pioneer News Group Co.
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