Recently, BYU-Idaho hosted John Dye and Rod Gustafson, two prominent figures in marketing and TV program production, as they introduced students to the Faith and Media Initiative. This non-profit organization is on a mission to revolutionize how faith is portrayed in news and entertainment, aiming for accurate and balanced representation across all belief systems.
According to the Faith and Media website, “The Faith and Media Initiative is a non-profit that connects and provides resources to a global network of media, content creators, faith leaders and community members to ensure accurate, balanced, representation of all faiths in news and entertainment.” This powerful statement encapsulates their ambitious goal: to foster a more nuanced and truthful portrayal of faith in an increasingly complex media landscape.
Both Dye and Gustafson expressed immense enthusiasm for the upcoming generation, highlighting their potential to drive this critical change. “We want to make sure that there is a faith in media convergence,” Gustafson stated. “We want more and more accurate representation of faith in media. And so, I think being able to work on the faith end of the things and with the youth and hopefully when I’m retired in 20 or 30 years and I remember some of the students that I worked with, we see them in these places and spaces of influence in media, I think it’s that promise that makes me excited to go to work every day.”
This sentiment underscores their long-term vision, investing in young talent to shape the future of media.
“We want more and more accurate representation of faith in media.”
The initiative, operating under Deseret Management Corporation—a for-profit arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—is not solely focused on the Church’s image. Instead, it champions the fair and accurate representation of all faiths. This broader mission is crucial in an era where misrepresentation can lead to harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings.
Dye elaborated on the challenges they aim to overcome. “Media sometimes, when it shows faith and belief systems and sets, there’s a lot of myth and misperception,” he explained. “There’s clicks for controversy. It doesn’t always represent the faith institutions in the best light or accuracy.” This highlights the need for a concerted effort to combat sensationalism and promote genuine understanding.
“Media sometimes, when it shows faith and belief systems and sets, there’s a lot of myth and misperception.”
Dye and Gustafson are relatively new to their roles within the organization, currently dedicating their time to connecting with individuals across the United States. “We call ourselves sponges this year, just meeting people in New York, DC, LA and meeting young people, finding where young people want to be,” Dye shared. He envisions the initiative becoming “the connective tissue between people in the media and people wanting to go into media and making that connection.” This hands-on approach to building bridges between aspiring media professionals and industry veterans is a testament to their commitment to nurturing the next generation of faith-sensitive storytellers.
The Faith and Media Initiative’s visit to BYU-Idaho signals an exciting development for students interested in media careers. It offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a movement that seeks to bring integrity and authenticity to the portrayal of faith in our global media landscape.
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J Washburn
Guest Author
