Media Portrayals of Religion and the Secular Sacred - In-depth

Our review of Media Portrayals of Religion and the Secular Sacred finds it essential for readers who study religion, media or contemporary sociology; the book's single biggest contribution is its careful, evidence-based analysis showing how television and newspapers remain central sources of public information about religion even as participation declines. Written from research conducted in the 1980s and 2008-10, the volume situates media coverage within wider debates about the sociology of religion and offers thoughtful, comparative discussion rather than polemic.

Key Features

• Longitudinal research: Draws on studies from the 1980s and 2008-10 to show changes and continuities in British media representation over time.
• Media focus: Concentrates on mainstream television and newspaper coverage, making it a focused resource for media analysts and students.
• Thematic analysis: Explores charged questions such as perceived marginalisation of Christianity, Islamophobia, and the visibility of atheism in coverage.
• Sociological framing: Sets media findings within broader debates in the sociology of religion to help readers interpret trends and implications.
• British case studies: Uses UK-based examples to provide concrete instances of how religion is portrayed in everyday news and broadcasting.

Who It's For

This book is best for academics, graduate students and informed general readers interested in media studies, religion and public sociology, who want evidence-driven discussion rather than polemical claims. Its focus on British media makes it particularly useful for researchers and lecturers working on UK press and broadcasting.

Those looking for practical guidance on media campaigning or a global comparative handbook covering non-Western contexts should look elsewhere, as the book concentrates on mainstream British television and newspapers and on theoretical interpretation rather than how-to media advice.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear use of longitudinal data provides credible insight into changes in media representation of religion.
• The focus on mainstream television and newspapers makes the analysis directly relevant to contemporary public discourse.
• The sociological framing helps readers connect media portrayal to broader trends in religious participation and visibility.

Cons

• The UK-centred evidence limits immediate applicability to non-British media landscapes.

Specifications

Title	Media Portrayals of Religion and the Secular Sacred
Series	AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society Series
Authors / Editors	Kim Knott, Elizabeth Poole, Teemu Taira
Research period	1980s and 2008-10
Focus	British television and newspaper coverage of religion
Subject areas	Sociology of religion, media representation

Our Verdict

Media Portrayals of Religion and the Secular Sacred is a valuable, evidence-rich study for anyone examining how religion appears in public media; its disciplined use of longitudinal UK data and sociological framing make it good value for researchers and advanced students who need a rigorous, contextualised account rather than a polemical take.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book focus on a specific country?
Yes, the analysis is centred on British television and newspaper coverage, using UK case studies and data.

What time periods does the research cover?
The authors draw on research from the 1980s and from 2008-10 to identify continuity and change in media portrayals.

Is this a practical guide to media engagement?
No, the book is a scholarly study emphasising analysis and interpretation rather than practical media campaigning advice.