Facts
- There are severe restrictions on religious broadcasting in the UK. Christian and other religious organisations are effectively banned from holding many types of broadcasting licences.
- The 1990 Broadcasting Act was introduced to regulate independent broadcasting (i.e. non-BBC output). The Act made all religious bodies “disqualified persons” for the purposes of holding a licence to broadcast. It was only at the discretion of the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission (ITC) that certain types of licence could be granted to these disqualified religious bodies.1
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The licences potentially available to religious groups under this discretion were:
- local analogue radio licences;
- satellite (TV and radio) licences; and
- cable (TV and radio) licences.
- The 1996 Broadcasting Act extended the automatic disqualification for religious ownership to all digital licences, including local and national radio, TV and the new multiplexes.2
- In 1999 a ten minute rule Bill to remove restrictions on the ownership of broadcasting licences by religious bodies was passed by 140 votes to 11.3 However, as a back bencher’s bill it was never expected to become law and was not allocated sufficient parliamentary time.
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The Communications Act 2003 maintained the general disqualification of religious broadcasters. The act prevents Christians and other religious persons, bodies and broadcasters from holding the following licences:4
- A channel 3 or 5 licence
- A national sound broadcasting license
- A public teletext licence
- An additional television service licence
- A television multiplex licence
- A radio multiplex licence.
- In addition, an officer in a religious body such as a church elder, a vicar or a member of the Parochial Church Council, is prevented from having control of any companies with the above.5
- The Act does allow religious broadcasters to apply to Ofcom for digital programme service licences.6
- During the Communication Act’s passage through parliament, the House of Lords voted to remove “disqualification of religious persons” from the Bill. However, the House of Commons voted by 314 to 175 to re-impose the disqualification.7
- Religious programmes on non-specialist channels (e.g. ITV1) are subject to more restrictive regulation than secular programmes. For example, the ITC Programme Code prohibits “recruitment” through religious programmes. 8 This saw an end to the full broadcasting of evangelistic rallies by Billy Graham. These were shown throughout the 1980s, complete with an appeal to the viewer, without controversy.9
- The ITC code does not place a similar ban on recruitment by secular groups. Political parties, for example, routinely attempt to recruit members at the end of party political broadcasts. Discussion programmes, documentaries and even dramas sometimes end with an invitation for viewers to make contact with a particular organisation or special interest group, giving contact details.
- Both the ITC and the Radio Authority codes prohibit “denigration” of one faith by another.10 This prohibits the kind of discussion viewers are used to seeing in relation to differing political beliefs. Yet at the same time, secular programmes frequently denigrate religious faith but are not subject to the same restrictions.
- Ofcom has now replaced the ITC and Radio Authority. It is due to produce a new broadcasting code in 2005.
- Premier Christian Radio in London is the only religious body to own a local analogue radio licence.11 Other attempts by Christians to obtain local licences have been unsuccessful. A high profile bid by Christian Vision in 2000 for the West Midlands licence is just one example.12
- There are a number of Christian broadcasters on satellite (e.g. United Christian Broadcasters and The Vision Channel).
Biblical Arguments
Christian freedoms and heritage
Christianity is the largest faith represented in the UK. Whatever conclusions can be drawn from the fact that the vast majority of the population claim a Christian religious allegiance, it is obvious that many of the major tenets of secular humanism are denied by the vast bulk of the population. (See Christian freedoms and heritage.)
Christians are commanded to share the gospel
Jesus’ final command to his followers before his ascension was that they should “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15) and “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Telling others about Christ and his teachings is central to the Christian life (1 Peter 3:15-16). The broadcast media is probably the most influential means of communicating ideas in the UK. Many Christians wish to see the gospel faithfully communicated to the masses through this vital medium.
The state is to provide freedom for the gospel
1 Timothy 2:1- 4 states:
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
As this passage indicates, the fact that government imposes order is for the benefit of the Gospel. We are to pray for governing authorities that “we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. For Christians, freedom to live out their calling to preach the gospel includes having the same freedom to use the broadcast media as secular humanists currently have.
The passage also makes clear that this kind of freedom and civic order is good because it facilitates the gospel. God wants “all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”. Laws which restrict Christian freedom inhibit the spread of the gospel.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
Key points
It is offensive
The basic position of broadcasting law in relation to faith groups is that it is hostile towards them solely on the basis of their religion. It is a matter of great offence to Christians that they are labelled in legislation as inherently untrustworthy to broadcast.
Christian broadcasting is not only for Christians
A religious broadcaster is just as capable of producing output which appeals to a broad audience as a secular broadcaster. But the current law does not give them the opportunity. All kinds of people with all kinds of ideas can invest in media as a means of communicating their ideas. The only people singled out for exclusion because of their ideas are religious people because of their personal beliefs.
Christian heritage
All religions are affected by the ban, but it is particularly ironic that the Christian faith should be so restricted given the UK’s strong Christian heritage (see Christian freedoms and heritage). Speaking in 1988, Jack Straw, now the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, said, “We can have no understanding of our history and culture unless we understand that we have a Christian tradition.”13
- 1Broadcasting Act 1990, Schedule 2, Part II, paragraph 2
- 2Broadcasting Act 1996, Part III, Section 73
- 3House of Commons, Hansard, 13 July 1999, cols 166-169
- 4Communications Act 2003, Section 348
- 5Broadcasting Act 1990 Schedule 2, Part II, para 1 as amended
- 6Communications Act 2003, Section 348
- 7House of Commons, Hansard, 14 July 2003, col. 114
- 8The ITC Programme Code 2002, para. 7.6
- 9Quicke, A and Quicke J, Hidden Agendas: The Politics of Religious Broadcasting in Britain 1987-1991, Dominion Kings Grant Publications Inc, 1992, pages 65-67
- 10Para 7.2 of the Radio Authority News and Current Affairs Code and Programme Code, 2002 and para 7.6 of the ITC Programme Code, 2002
- 11Telephone enquiry to OFCOM, 11 March 2005
- 12See http://www.visionchannel.co.uk
- 13House of Commons, Hansard, 23 March 1988, Col. 418
