Debra Mason

Debra L. Mason, PhD, directs the Center on Religion and the Professions, which is headquartered at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She has more than 30 years of professional reporting, research, and teaching experience. Her major religion and media research work includes content audits of religion news, a religious literacy survey of students, telephone surveys of religion journalists and historical work on the professionalization of the religion beat. She created and manages the largest collection of religion reporting tools and training guides, including ReligionStylebook.org and ReligionLink.com. Mason also serves as publisher of Religion News Service, the world’s only non-sectarian news service covering only religion. Mason is on the editorial board and is book review editor for the Journal of Media and Religion. She also is the founding executive director of the Religion Newswriters Foundation and directs its related membership association. Her most recent publication is a co-edited volume (with Amy B. White) Investigating Religion: An Investigative Reporter's Guide.