Following on from a recent debate in the House of Lords on the BBC, humanist broadcasting and Radio 4’s Thought for the Day, BHA Distinguished Supporter Lord Harrison asked the Government ‘what is their assessment of the extent to which the BBC has paid sufficient regard to the importance of reflecting Humanism in its programmes recently broadcast.’ In addition to the Government’s response, peers had an opportunity to make their contributions following the question being asked.
Responding to the question, The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Lord Davies of Oldham, stated that, “Under the terms of the BBC’s charter, this is a matter for the BBC Trust and there is no provision for Government to intervene.”
Vice President of the British Humanist Association, Baroness Whitaker, argued during the debate that an Ofcom report into public service broadcasting had discovered that viewers thought religion only 16th out of 17 programme subjects most valued on terrestrial channels.
The BHA continues to work on the issue of broadcasting and will continue to lobby government and the BBC to make programming more inclusive.
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For comment or information from the BHA, contact Naomi Phillips on 020 7079 3585
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious, campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief and is the largest organisation in the UK working for a secular society.