BBC 'ignoring' Christians' concerns

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Dr Rowan Williams spoke to Mark Thompson at a private meeting in Lambeth Palace.

Senior members of the Church of England are concerned the BBC is downgrading its religious output.

Christina Rees, a member of the Archbishops' Council, the Church's executive body, said: "In all the censuses a very large proportion of the population identifies itself as Christian. 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."

Dr Williams is believed to have challenged the director-general during their meeting earlier this month over the decline in religious broadcasting on the BBC World Service. In 2001, it broadcast one hour and 45 minutes a week of religious programming. It now broadcasts just half an hour.

It emerged this month that the corporation's former head of religious programmes, Methodist lay preacher Michael Wakelin, failed to land the new role of head of production and commissioning editor for religion and ethics in a restructured department.

A spokesman for the corporation said: "The BBC's commitment to religion and ethics is unequivocal and entirely safe. Changes to the Religious and Ethics department in Manchester are being made to strengthen the BBC's offering, not diminish it.

"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."