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TV programming 'concerns' Church | TV programming 'concerns' Church |
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The Church of England's general synod has voted to back a motion expressing "deep concern" at what it believes is a cut in religious TV programming. | The Church of England's general synod has voted to back a motion expressing "deep concern" at what it believes is a cut in religious TV programming. |
But the synod drew back from singling out the BBC, instead backing a motion aimed at all mainstream broadcasters. | But the synod drew back from singling out the BBC, instead backing a motion aimed at all mainstream broadcasters. |
It called for more programming that "imaginatively marks major festivals". | It called for more programming that "imaginatively marks major festivals". |
The BBC said it had increased its coverage in recent years, while Channel 4 said religious programmes were "at the heart of its schedule". | The BBC said it had increased its coverage in recent years, while Channel 4 said religious programmes were "at the heart of its schedule". |
Good Friday 'ignored' | Good Friday 'ignored' |
Some members of the synod - effectively the Church's parliament - believe there has been a reduction in the scope of broadcasting about religion and that it is undermining Christian influence in UK national life. | Some members of the synod - effectively the Church's parliament - believe there has been a reduction in the scope of broadcasting about religion and that it is undermining Christian influence in UK national life. |
Nigel Holmes, a lay member, put forward the original motion singling out the BBC, saying its coverage was "frankly not good enough". | Nigel Holmes, a lay member, put forward the original motion singling out the BBC, saying its coverage was "frankly not good enough". |
"In radio, they have tended to value spiritual subjects, in television lack of innovation combined with marginalised scheduling would appear to suggest that they have largely shunned them," he said. | "In radio, they have tended to value spiritual subjects, in television lack of innovation combined with marginalised scheduling would appear to suggest that they have largely shunned them," he said. |
"A fortnight ago the BBC announced that it was commissioning research with a view to improving the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. | "A fortnight ago the BBC announced that it was commissioning research with a view to improving the representation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. |
HAVE YOUR SAY The BBC should exist to educate and entertain, not to indoctrinate Olly, London Send your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY The BBC should exist to educate and entertain, not to indoctrinate Olly, London Send your comments |
"Perhaps it could do the same for those who proclaim a faith." | "Perhaps it could do the same for those who proclaim a faith." |
Mr Holmes said his motion had been triggered by his feeling that the BBC "seemed to ignore the Christian significance" of Good Friday in 2009. | Mr Holmes said his motion had been triggered by his feeling that the BBC "seemed to ignore the Christian significance" of Good Friday in 2009. |
But the synod rejected his motion and instead voted by 267 to 4 in favour of expressing "deep concern about the overall reduction in religious broadcasting across British television in recent years". | But the synod rejected his motion and instead voted by 267 to 4 in favour of expressing "deep concern about the overall reduction in religious broadcasting across British television in recent years". |
The Venerable Jan McFarlane, the Archdeacon of Norwich, said "putting the BBC on the naughty step" would do little to improve relations or programming. | |
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, said the Church of England needed to recognise and "cherish" what was already on offer, highlighting BBC programmes such as A History Of Christianity and Songs of Praise. | The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, said the Church of England needed to recognise and "cherish" what was already on offer, highlighting BBC programmes such as A History Of Christianity and Songs of Praise. |
"Religious programming has a proper place across all the public service broadcasters; don't let them off the hook by naming only the BBC in the motion," he added. | "Religious programming has a proper place across all the public service broadcasters; don't let them off the hook by naming only the BBC in the motion," he added. |
Earlier, the BBC's head of religion and ethics, Aaqil Ahmed, admitted last year's television programmes on Good Friday could have been done better. | Earlier, the BBC's head of religion and ethics, Aaqil Ahmed, admitted last year's television programmes on Good Friday could have been done better. |
But he said: "The Charter says that we should be doing 110 hours. We're doing 164 this year. | But he said: "The Charter says that we should be doing 110 hours. We're doing 164 this year. |
We are currently airing a seven-part series on the Bible in the middle of peak time Channel 4 spokesman | We are currently airing a seven-part series on the Bible in the middle of peak time Channel 4 spokesman |
"If you look at the broader broadcasting ecology, if you look at what's happening at ITV, channel Five, Channel 4, everybody is turning their back on religion, but we live in a time when the BBC isn't doing that," he said. | "If you look at the broader broadcasting ecology, if you look at what's happening at ITV, channel Five, Channel 4, everybody is turning their back on religion, but we live in a time when the BBC isn't doing that," he said. |
A spokesman for Channel 4 said it was "committed to providing alternative viewpoints in religion and putting religious programming at the heart of its schedule". | A spokesman for Channel 4 said it was "committed to providing alternative viewpoints in religion and putting religious programming at the heart of its schedule". |
"We are currently airing a seven-part series on the Bible in the middle of peak time. This follows on the back of other major peak-time series on the history of Christianity and a new religion strand called Revelations." | "We are currently airing a seven-part series on the Bible in the middle of peak time. This follows on the back of other major peak-time series on the history of Christianity and a new religion strand called Revelations." |
'Evangelical tool' | 'Evangelical tool' |
The National Secular Society said research suggested religious programmes were not popular or valued. | The National Secular Society said research suggested religious programmes were not popular or valued. |
"It is important the BBC is not bullied into becoming an evangelical tool for the Church of England while ignoring the clearly expressed wishes of the licence-payer," said president Terry Sanderson. | "It is important the BBC is not bullied into becoming an evangelical tool for the Church of England while ignoring the clearly expressed wishes of the licence-payer," said president Terry Sanderson. |
Meanwhile, another motion is calling on the synod to support traditionalist Anglicans who have set up their own Church in North America. | Meanwhile, another motion is calling on the synod to support traditionalist Anglicans who have set up their own Church in North America. |
It was established in opposition to the ordination of a gay bishop and the blessing of same-sex relationships by the Anglican Churches in the United States and Canada. | It was established in opposition to the ordination of a gay bishop and the blessing of same-sex relationships by the Anglican Churches in the United States and Canada. |
Recognising the breakaway church would not bring it into the Anglican Communion, but it would represent a significant snub to the official Anglican Churches there, BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott said. | Recognising the breakaway church would not bring it into the Anglican Communion, but it would represent a significant snub to the official Anglican Churches there, BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Piggott said. |