Category: BBC
Date: 13.05.2005
Printable version
The BBC's Board of Governors held a seminar this morning to discuss the BBC's religious programming and the way that religion is portrayed across all genres.
Entitled Taking Belief Seriously, the seminar explored how the BBC could reflect the increasing impact of religion and belief on the modern world, with compelling and popular programmes, to an audience which has in recent years turned away from religious output.
The Chairman and Board of Governors were joined at the seminar by the Director-General, senior executive and editorial staff, the Central Religious Advisory Council (CRAC) and a panel of invited experts.
The panel included: Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God and The Holy War; Professor Ian Linden of the School of Oriental and African Studies; Inayat Bunglawala of the Muslim Council; Graham James, Bishop of Norwich and Chairman of CRAC; Dr Tristram Hunt, historian, author and broadcaster; Mark Dowd, writer and TV producer and presenter; Tony Marchant, writer of Holding On and Passer By; Armando Iannucci, writer and broadcaster; and Omid Djalili, actor and comedian.
Chaired by the Rev Dr Colin Morris, former BBC Head of Religious Broadcasting and Controller of BBC Northern Ireland, the seminar focused on four key questions:
does belief really matter to listeners and viewers;
how complete a picture can BBC News deliver;
could belief join History in the broadcasting mainstream;
Drama and Comedy: untapped potential?
Director-General Mark Thompson said: "In the past religious programming has been associated with duty and caution rather than energy and life.
"In broadcasting, religion and faith is not just a genre. Instead issues of belief and non-belief inspire programme-makers from many genres.
"This morning’s seminar has been one of the most wide-ranging and creatively inspiring on the subject for many years.
"It will have a big impact as we develop our Creative Future programme strategy."
Chairman Michael Grade said: "Hopefully the results will show evidence of the stimulation engendered here this morning. The true test will be the lasting creative ripples it creates for the benefit of audiences."
A paper summarising this morning's discussion is being prepared and will be made available in due course.
