Religion is one of the most fraught topics in the news today, requiring accurate, fair and balanced reporting, as well as a comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of religious beliefs. What is the future of religion journalism at a time when budget cuts are forcing media outlets to eliminate the religion beat, and journalists in many countries cannot report on religion without fear of persecution, harassment, imprisonment, or even death? Can impartial and objective coverage of religion offer real insight? What kind of reporting fuels hatred, marginalisation and fear?

These are among the questions that will be tackled by a panel of experts and the audience in a discussion on "Reporting on Religion – How to Reconcile Respect and Press Freedom", at the IPI World Congress 2013 in Amman, Jordan.

Maria-Paz Lopez, chair of the International Association of Religion Journalists and senior religion writer for the Spanish daily La Vanguardia, will moderate the discussion on Tuesday, 21 May.

Other confirmed speakers for the panel are:

• Mohammed Haruna, managing director and editor-in-chief, Citizen Communications Ltd; syndicated political columnist, Nigeria
  
• Jamal Khashoggi, director and editor-in-chief, Al Arab News Channel, Bahrain; former editor-in-chief, Al Watan, Saudi Arabia
• Stephen Pollard, editor, The Jewish Chronicle, UK
• Jeffrey Sharlet, co-founder, The Revealer: A Daily Review of Religion & Media, Center for Religion and Media, New York University, USA