Does the Draft Media Bill Shift the Religious Media Landscape?

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9 May

At the end of March, the Government produced a draft media bill that sent shivers down the spine of some Christians.

The threat of religion, and ethics, disappearing from our Public Service Broadcasters’ (PSB) TV screens eliciting cries of ‘foul’ from those brought up on a media diet of the BBC, ITV and very little else. While, we should raise our voice in support of religion and ethics remaining on our main TV channels, it’s worth taking a close look at how the media landscape is changing in 2023.

The cohort of young mentees, who joined the recent Christians in Media Mentoring Programme, didn’t mention the BBC, ITV, even Channel 4. Not for them these outdated media platforms; rather they would click online, watch the latest movie streaming on Netflix or subscribe to their favourite YouTube programme. Most of them produce their own podcasts, or YouTube programme, with followers in numbers that would make you jaw drop. So, against this rapidly changing background, what is the future of PSBs, and will religion have a place in it? This is the question being posed in a talk being given by the experienced broadcaster, Roger Bolton, at St. Albans Cathedral on May 18. Tickets can be booked here.

As someone born in the era of just three TV channels, I might be expected to sound a clarion call in support of PSBs. And, while, I believe there is a crucial place for these mainstream platforms, times they are a changing. Sadly, nostalgia for a lost time doesn’t win new audiences. These broadcasters have had to adapt. They no longer command the attention of the whole nation when families would gather together around the TV set to watch their favourite programme. The fragmented nature of today’s viewing habits has significantly reduced the PSBs slice of the overall media pie, and their influence on the viewing public.

As Christians, we do not have a divine right to religion being broadcast on the PSB platforms. So, we, too, need to adapt, and use our God-given creative skills to produce, and distribute, quality programmes to reach those beyond our Christian bubble. Those young mentees are acutely aware of the many possibilities available to them. They are not afraid to use their talents in ways that resonate with their non-Christian peer group. Their programme content may not appear on the PSBs, but are seen and heard in significant numbers.

The Sandford St Martin Trust, which has been making annual awards for the best programmes about religion, ethics and spirituality since 1978, warned that the Government Bill would not protect or ensure the future of core PSB content such as religious and ethical programming. This may, or may not, be true. Yet, audiences are always receptive to quality programming filled with stories of transformation and hope. Only, these audiences are often to be found watching alternative platforms instead of the more traditional PSBs.

At our recent Lunchtime Prayer Meeting, we heard from three hugely talented film makers and festival directors. Jenny Lee, founder and director of the I Will Tell Film Festival: Andrew Macclean, Director and Founder of First Last Film; and Rebecca Peacock, Film Producer at Top and Tail Productions; all had one thing in common: a passion for producing the very best, top quality products. Their enthusiasm and drive was so infectious, and a huge encouragement to all.

We should certainly be grateful to those early trailblazers who set such a high benchmark for quality productions on our mainstream channels. May their skills and talents continue to shine like beacons in a very difficult, and often dark, media space. Yet, let us also look forward, and embrace the many new platforms, and technology, that offer so many exciting opportunities to share stories that transcend the ages. Let us be the new trailblazers in creativity, and follow the wonderful example of those who went before us in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.