I’ve been following the program cluster called “Media and Religion” at the Parliament of the World’s Religions these past couple of days. Many of the presenters are Muslim, and their concern with the media is obvious. They share many of the lessons they have learned, and these ideas are pertinent to all faiths – particularly to those who battle negative public images. Most, but not all of the following words of advice come from the Muslim community:

• Don’t fight the system; work with reporters, and let them see the value of your message.
• Social media gives more voices to more people, so it is important to let the entire faith community become well informed in the internal issues.
• Take care with what is said in social media, because it is very transparent. Writers cannot hide identities very well, and what is said is permanently locked into cyberspace.
• It is important to read and make space for negative feedback. These are often the best opportunities to clarify the message. Allowing negative comments give the audience trust in authenticity.
• Technology in dialogue is important, because its influence is growing exponentially. But it’s important to remember that even tech-savvy people don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. It’s integrity and authenticity that win the day.
• Using the media to convert others is mostly over. What’s important is communicating the story, the meaning of faith.