This week has seen an increased focus on the success – and failure – of the media’s coverage of religion. A BBC poll published on Wednesday showed that while 45% of people in this country think that the UK media report religion accurately, 35% think there is room for improvement.

On the one hand, this is heartening news for the many hard-working journalists and broadcasters out there. Much coverage of religion deserves commendation for its innovation and balance. However, if a third of media coverage on religion is deemed to be inaccurate, then something is wrong. And what’s wrong, as argued by a new book launched this week, is that many journalists have a ‘blind spot’ when it comes to God. (Photo: Adam Tinworth)

That blind spot involves overlooking, ignoring or misrepresenting the role of religion in major news stories. Often this is completely unintentional. A lack of religious literacy is often part of the problem. As staff numbers dwindle at major newspapers and broadcasters, dedicated religion correspondents are a becoming a dying breed.

It would be unthinkable to hire a sports reporter who had no knowledge of the sports their role required them to report on. Yet, many generalist reporters find themselves shoved in at the deep end when it comes to covering news stories relating to religion. Unfamiliar with the terrain, they often unwittingly make mistakes that can mar their output.

Fortunately, help is at hand. The Bible Style Guide, launched last September, is available free of charge to working journalists and broadcasters. As an introductory guide to reporting the Bible, it has been both warmly welcomed and actively requested by newsdesks across the media industry.