Leicester Mercury editor Nick Carter was today due to speak at a national conference to reinforce the theme of co-operation between different faiths and the media.

The Media Trust has organised the event in association with the Inter Faith Network for the UK and TimeBank's 'respect' project. It is supported by The Newspaper Society.

Nick lives in the centre of Leicester and is closely involved in issues surrounding the development of the city and county, particularly issues around the developing diversity of Leicester. In 2001 he started what is now the city's Multicultural Advisory Group.

The conference, chaired by Bishop of Southwark, Tom Butler, has attracted 100 delegates from the UK's media and faith worlds.

He said: "As we become an increasingly diverse society it is vital that different groups relate to each other with tolerance and respect.

"But it is not just a matter of people of different faiths getting on well and working on shared projects - this has to be seen and heard to be done.

"Media coverage which contributes to greater mutual understanding and which celebrates the positive stories of cooperation has a key role to play in this."

Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart was today urging faith communities and the media to work together to communicate how the different faiths contribute to creating an integrated multi-faith society.

She said: "Media organisations have much to gain from good contacts with local faith communities.

"The media can make a real difference to people's perceptions about their communities, so it's vital that they have a full picture of what's happening.

"Having a good understanding of how faith communities contribute to society will also help media promote community cohesion."

Other speakers at the event, at Regents College Conference Centre, London, include broadcaster and producer Roger Bolton; Alex Brummer, city editor of the Daily Mail; Simon Cohen, freelance writer and director of Tolerance Limited and Dr Salah Beltagui, Glasgow Muslim community and Scottish Interfaith Council.

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