News & Observer reporter Yonat Shimron, University of South Carolina journalism professor Cecile Holmes and Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell will participate in a April 4 panel moderated by Elon University professor Tom Arcaro, discussing the portrayal of atheism through local and regional media and how this influences society. The event takes place in the LaRose Digital Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
3rd Annual Religion and Media Conference: Media Portrayal of Atheism – April 4
The 2008 U.S. Senate campaign in North Carolina featured a controversial television ad “accusing” candidate Kay Hagan of being an atheist. In 2009, the media reported extensively on Cecil Bothwell’s near removal from office as an Asheville City Councilman due to a provision in North Carolina’s Constitution ostensibly forbidding atheists from holding public office. Both stories serve as the backdrop for the annual conference that brings together journalists, policy makers and the community in thoughtful discussion about issues of the day related to media.
Shimron is an award-winning religion writer for the News & Observer for the past 15 years. She spoke at the first conference in 2009. She has served in the Israeli Air Force and is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
In 2009, the press reported on attempts to remove Bothwell from office based on an amendment in North Carolina’s Constitution forbidding atheists from holding public office. Bothwell has just announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Holmes, an associate professor of journalism at the University of South Carolina, is a former religion editor of the Houston Chronicle. She specializes in religion and media and reporting for newspapers and new media. Holmes has been nominated seven times for a Pulitzer Prize.
The Religion & Media Conference is sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life and the School of Communications, and “Better Together,” Elon’s new interfaith student organization.