BBC Beefs Up Religious Programming

By Chmee2 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
By Chmee2 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
This will be done for both TV and radio content

The venerable BBC is fattening up its religious coverage[/tweetit]. The corporation has upgraded the important role of its correspondent in religious affairs, to the newly created post of Religion Editor. Martin Bashir presently holds this post. This action is one of multiple measures adopted by the BBC post a year-long review of the religion and ethics coverage by the corporation. Tony Hall, the Director General of the BBC, said audiences belonging to all faiths and also those who identify themselves as religious none have expressed interest on varied belief systems and the way they make an impact on the world.

BBC Beefs Up Religious Programming[/tweetthis]

The ethics and religion review done by the BBC proposed a number of environments, like injecting religious themes in the popular dramas commissioned by the broadcaster. These changes will be applicable to both television and radio programs. The team managing global religious affairs will see an increase in team members. The Radio 4 program Thought of the Day will be more linked with news items having young people and women.

The list of plans includes the making of a wide-ranging series to access a broader audience pool. Increased coverage will be provided for festivals enjoyed by people from non-Christian backgrounds like Ramadan, Diwali, and Passover. Such festivals will be touched upon on in BBC popular programs like Chris Evans Breakfast Show and The One Show. An important television series will be aired focusing on the sacred sites of the world. According to the broadcaster, 2019 will be filled with such programming. One particular program will examine issues which determine the moral values of the people.

These proposals are a response to the brand new rules set by Ofcom. The latter ordered BBC to air more religious programs on both BBC One channel and BBC Two channel. This conclusion was arrived at by consulting about 150 faith leaders and experts. The list of leaders include the Chief Rabbi, senior Muslim figures, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Nones groups like Humanists UK were also asked to share their views.

The BBC has faced sharp criticism from many quarters, including the Daily Mail, for giving more coverage to other faiths and little to Christian programs. The BBC said that it will always be committed to cover the Christian religion. It is to be noted that the channel generates much more religious coverage compared to any other broadcaster. The company devotes 7,000 hours towards religious programming.

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