Lack of Diversity in Religious Broadcasting
to be Studied by Ecumenical Communications Council

You would not know from the overwhelming array of fundamentalist preachers and entrepreneurial evangelists who define religion on radio and television today that America has a rich diversity of religious expression.

Tri-State Media Ministry, an ecumenical media council now observing its 29th year in metropolitan New York, will take a look on March 25 at how to achieve a balance that more faithfully represents America's rich and diverse religious culture. Speakers will include Commissioner Michael J. Copps of the Federal Communications Commission and Dr. Randall Balmer, professor of American History at Barnard College.

Commissioner Copps was for an extended time the sole voice on the FCC speaking for he public and bucking the trend toward industry control of the American system of broadcasting. He will update the audience on "The FCC, the Mass Media and the Public Interest."

Dr. Balmer has titled the paper he will present "FINDING A VOICE: Evangelicals, the Media, the FCC and the Reconfiguration of American Protestantism." Dr. Balmer, who has an evangelical background and observes American religious life with the keen eye of an alert historian, has shared his special insights with the American public as producer/host of several PBS specials.

"Ignorance of the faith of our neighbors can breed only suspicion and prejudice," said the Rev. N. J. L'Heureux, Jr., Executive Director of the Queens Federation of Churches and chairman of TRIMM. "It is crucial, especially in these troubled days, that our media present fairly the breadth and scope of the religious landscape with integrity."

The meeting is open to the public and will be held Tuesday, March 25, from 1 to 5 p.m., in the parlor of Trinity Church/Wall Street, 74 Trinity Place in lower Manhattan. Especially invited are religious media specialists, church staff members, specialists, consultants, broadcasters and other media professionals. For registration information call TRIMM at 212-425-4787.