Religion, spirituality and values were not the primary focus in the print or TV stories analyzed.
Stories involving religion often are news stories about international conflicts, such as Kosovo.
Despite the fact that Americans in the 1990s displayed an unprecedented renewal of interest in spirituality apart from organized religion, stories about spirituality per se are virtually absent in media coverage. While not overtly biased, the stories analyzed in the study generally failed to provide needed theological or historical context. The study was prompted by reports of surging interest in religion and spirituality over the last decade, according to Roy Larson, director of the Garrett-Medill Center. Coverage of Faith and Spirituality is on the Rise. ABC-TV and National Public Radio hired religion correspondents.