Archbishop urges BBC to consider Christians
BBC must ensure it represents Christians, says Dr Rowan Williams
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Sunday, 29, Mar 2009 12:44
The Archbishop of Canterbury believes the BBC must ensure it fairly represents the UK's Christian population in its religious programming.
Dr Rowan Williams held a private meeting with the corporation's director general Mark Thompson at Lambeth Palace to express his concern at a perceived decline in religious broadcasting on the BBC World Service.
In response the BBC has stressed its commitment to religion and ethics in its programming was "unequivocal and entirely safe".
Christina Rees, a member of the Archbishops' Council, the Church of England's executive body, commented: "The established Church has a special role in the country. We actually have a remit for everyone in the whole country.
"The BBC is a public service corporation. It is funded by licence payers and part of the broadcaster's duty is to represent the population. If it ignored Christians and the church it would be negligent," she told the BBC.
A spokeswoman for Dr Williams said she could not comment on a private meeting.
And a BBC spokesman explained: "The BBC is committed to maintaining a high level of specialism in the Religion and Ethics department - we currently have many staff with theology degrees and expertise.
"We are also currently exploring new ways to strengthen our connections with religious organisations.
"The story for Religion and Ethics at the BBC is a positive one and we hope that church members will be reassured."