CHURCH-PRESS RELATIONS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 15

CHURCH-PRESS RELATIONS

“Workshop” Held In City

Too many interesting items of church news never appeared in the daily newspapers because of diffidence or lack of news sense among church members, Mr George Bums, editor of the "Chris - - church Star." told nearly 40 representatives of church organisations at a press-church relations '‘workshop" last evening. Newspapers generally had enormous difficulty in finding this news from the churches he said. Important points to be considered by all church press writers included reelintion of the distinction between factual and atmospheric or creative writing and between news as distinct from propaganda, he said. Publicity could never be bought as could advertising. It should be remembered that news publication was a highly competitive business, with the simple, factual account standing most chance among the thousands of words pouring into the newspaper office each day. In an address on writing for church or religious newspapers. Mr P. M. Smith, editor of the Presbyterian Church magazine "Outlook.'' emphasised the difference between religious and secular journalism. In spite of these differences, he said, it was essential that persons writing for the press be clearly aware of what constituted news and of the need for lucid, accurate, factual reporting. In all writing simplicity was the key note, he said’ It was important that the living church be represented by equally living accounts of its work, Mr Smith said. It was only through this writing that the church could be enabled to give its voice to the nation.

Organised by the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Churches at the suggestion of the executive secretary (the Rev. C. R. Sprackettl the workshop was the first interdenominational gathering of its kind held in Christchurch.

After each speaker’s address an open discussion was held. Members were then asked to present to the organising committee a short report on some aspect of activities carried out in their local church during the coming week-end. These will be later returned with appropriate criticisms. An introductory address was given by the Rev. H. G. Brown, chairman of the Christchurch branch of the council, and Mr Sprackett presided.