Rabbis, Reporters, and the Public in the Digital Holyland

Focused on the relationship between rabbis, journalists, and the public, this book analyses each group's role in influencing the agenda around religion in Israel. Key questions include the following: What are rabbis' philosophical views of the media? How does the media define news about Judaism? What aspects of news about religion and spirituality interest the public? How do spokespersons and rabbis influence the news agenda? How is the triangular relationship between rabbis, journalists, and the public being altered by the digital age? Despite a lack of understanding about mass media behavior among many rabbis and, concurrently, a lack of knowledge about religion among many journalists, it is argued that there is shared interest between the two groups, both in support of mass media values, like the right to know and freedom of expression. It is further argued that the public's attitude to news about religion is significant in determining what journalists should publish.