| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Broadcasting Regulation
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which elements of the programme content rules imposed upon broadcasters cover (a) responsibility in religious programme content, (b) exploitation of audience susceptibilities, (c) abuse/ incitement to hatred, (d) declaration of identity of religious bodies involved in programmes, (e) accuracy and fairness, (f) recognition of other religions, (g) appeals and donations, (h) recruitment, (i) claims and substantiation, (j) blasphemy and obscenity, (k) unacceptable organisations or practices, (l) religious advertising and (m) religious worship; and what assessment she has made of whether these rules adequately regulate the content of religious broadcasting. [46128]
Dr. Howells: The information is set out in the following table:
10 Apr 2002 : Column 311W
We stated in the Communications White Paper that we will "maintain the requirement that due responsibility be exercised with respect to the content of religious programmes. Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, such programmes must not involve an improper exploitation of any susceptibilities of those watching or any abusive treatment of the religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination" [6.9.1]. The regulators are responsible for the Codes and guidelines, and from time to time to review them. Copies are available from the regulators.We are considering, in the light of the responses to the various consultations on ownership of the permitted licences by religious organisations, whether or not to retain rules in this respect also.
Religious Broadcasting
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information she has as to the Christian radio stations which broadcast to United Kingdom listeners; and in the case of each such broadcaster, what information she has on (a) the size of audience and (b) the extend to which it complies with the relevant codes regulating broadcast output. [46122]
Dr. Howells: The Department only has information on radio stations licensed by the Radio Authority. To date, the Radio Authority licence two local analogue religious licensees both in Greater London. These are Premier Christian Radio (176,000 listeners) and Liberty Radio (72,000 listeners). [source—RAJAR audience figures 4 Quarter 2001]
The Radio Authority also licence 17 satellite stations of a Christian nature. These are:
- UCB Europe
Stitching Transworld Radio Europe
Transworld Radio Europe (German language)
UCB Cross Rhythms
Transworld Radio
EWTN
Premier Christian Radio
The Spoken Bible
Adventist World Radio
Family Radio
Family Radio International
UCB—Talk
UCB—Inspirational
The Dream
TalkGospel.com
UCB—Bible
Radio Al Mahabba.
10 Apr 2002 : Column 312W
In addition, the Radio Authority issue restricted short-term licences (RSL's) for a wide range of reasons and events. RSL's are issued for a restricted coverage area as well as being restricted by duration (maximum 28 days) and are for small-scale community use. During 2001, the Radio Authority issued 21 licences to mark notable dates in the Christian calendar. These were awarded to:
- Caleb Radio (received 2 RSL licences during 2001)
Flame FM, Bradford
Flame FM
New Life Radio (received 2 RSL licences during 2001)
Hope FM (received 2 RSL licences during 2001)
Branch FM
Revival Radio
GBMR
Stoneleigh FM
Kingdom Faith Camp Radio
New Wine Radio
Flame FM on the Wirral
ARB
Lighthouse
Radio Grove
Adventist Radio—Heavenly Hampstead
Good News Radio
ARMK/Adventist Radio Milton Keynes.
All these stations must comply with the Radio Authority's relevant codes regulating broadcast output. During 2001, the Radio Authority issued a warning to Premier Christian Radio for several breaches of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Programme Code, and to Liberty Radio for breaching the Advertising and Sponsorship Code.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) whether it is her policy to permit and encourage the Christian broadcasting industry in the United Kingdom; [46129]
- (2) what representations she has received from (a) right hon. and hon. Members and (b) others supporting the lifting of statutory prohibitions on religious broadcasters; [46123]
(3) which categories of broadcasting licence ownership are prohibited for religious bodies; and in the case of each category of licence, what public policy objectives are served by the ban; [46127]
(4) what consideration she has given to the implications for (a) listeners, (b) competition and (c) religious activity of the statutory ban on Christian broadcasters being granted categories of broadcasting licence; and if she will make a statement. [46126]
10 Apr 2002 : Column 313W
Dr. Howells: The Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996 do not permit the regulators to award licences for: national analogue sound programmes; digital sound programmes; terrestrial television services; an radio and TV multiplex licences (local or national). The Acts do give the regulators discretion to award the following licences to religious organisations: local analogue, satellite and cable sound programme licences; cable and satellite television services; and restricted service sound programme licences.
The White Paper 'A New Future for Communications' published in December 2000 and the more recent paper 'Consultation on Media Ownership Rules' published in November 2001 confirmed that the Government planned to bring forward legislation to allow religious bodies to hold a local digital sound programme licence. The papers also discussed the background to the restrictions on religious ownership of certain broadcasting licences: "We would welcome views on whether we should further relax the ban on religious ownership. There is a strong demand by some for religious content. But religious content has a particular capacity to offend those with different views and opinions, or, sometimes to exploit the susceptibilities of the vulnerable. Religious issues may also shade into matters of political controversy. These concerns may not be fully dealt with by the regulation of religious content and are particularly acute in relation to terrestrial licences where scarce spectrum means that choice is naturally limited for viewers. We nevertheless welcome views on whether we could relax the prohibition when choice increases in the digital future, or whether it will remain a necessary safeguard which should be retained".
We receive approximately 14,500 (6,500 and 8,000 respectively) responses from MP's, organisations and members of public broadly supporting the lifting of the current restrictions. We are reviewing the restrictions on the holding of certain licences by religious bodies in the light of these responses, and will publish details of our proposals with the draft Communications Bill, which we expect to be in the spring.
It is for organisations in the Christian broadcasting industry to decide if they wish to apply to the Radio Authority for any of the aforementioned licences.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will include consideration of the Christian broadcasting sector in her commitment to consult widely and deeply about outstanding questions of broadcasting regulation; [46125]
- (2) what representations she has received on the future regulation of Christian broadcasting in the United Kingdom. [46121]
Dr. Howells: We will be consulting widely and deeply on a draft Communications Bill, and will of course consider all points raised by the Christian broadcasting sector before finalising the proposals which we put before Parliament when the legislative timetable allows. We have already received a large number of representations about the future regulation and ownership of religious broadcasting.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received concerning the Carla Rosa Opera Company; and if she will make a statement. [46228]
10 Apr 2002 : Column 314W
Dr. Howells: We have received three letters from members of the public about the Carl Rosa Opera Company. I was pleased to learn that the excellent work of this historic company will reach an even wider audience with the announcement this week by the Arts Council of England of a national touring programme grant for a tour of three operettas to smaller venues in England.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect of continued statutory prohibition on religious broadcasting on her policies of promoting quality, diversity and plurality in the broadcast sector. [46124]
Dr. Howells: Religious broadcasting is not prohibited in the United Kingdom. The Government take the view that religious programming is an important element of radio and television services. Furthermore, under the Broadcasting Acts of 1990 and 1996, the regulators are given discretion to award the following licences to religious organisations: local analogue, satellite and cable sound programme licences; cable and satellite television services licences; and restricted service sound programme licences.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |